NSW country: Recycled Zero now Scobie's hero
By Tim Egan, September 26, 2016 - 4:08 PM

It’s not often that a trainer is happy when his galloper finishes second last, but that was the case at Rosehill last Saturday when Gundagai trainer Jim Scobie made the trek up the Hume Highway with Zero to Ten to contest the Group 3 Colin Stephen Queen’s Cup (2400m). 
“People might think I’m crazy but that’s okay, it doesn’t worry me,” Scobie said before the race. 
“He’s got a pretty good record. He’s not going to embarrass himself in a field like that. 
“I haven’t got high expectations because that’s where most disappointments come from,” he added. 
As it turned out Scobie had the last laugh when, in a field of five, Zero to Ten grabbed fourth place to collect a cheque for $6250 and take his total prizemoney past $132,000.
Interestingly, when Scobie bought Zero to Ten from a friend, the gelding was still a maiden after two years of racing and the trainer originally intended to try the horse as a showjumper. 
He changed his mind, however, and decided to give the gelding another preparation. It proved to be a good decision as the galloper has now won nine races for Scobie. 
“I wouldn’t say that sits well with my good friend,” the trainer quipped.
Mad about Larry
Coffs Harbour trainer Joanne Hardy was full of praise for comeback jockey Larry Cassidy after last week’s win by $17 pop Collaboration in the $60,000 Lismore Cup (2100m).
It was Hardy’s first win in the race as a trainer, but she had owned a previous winner, Falcon’s Dream, who won in 1995 under the care of her father, Trevor. 
“Larry has won the race for us,” Hardy said. “He made the right move at the right time.” 
“I was told not to ride him pretty and to ride him like an English stayer. I thought I might as well just go at about the 1200,” said Cassidy, explaining his decision to make a mid-race move.
Good Look
A super ride by in-form apprentice Koby Jennings helped young Mudgee trainer David Smith to an “unbelievable” win with Distinctive Look ($8) in last Saturday’s $60,000 Class 2 TAB Highway Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.
The young jockey allowed his mount to settle midfield before making a forward move at about the 1200-metre mark. 
After striking trouble near the turn, Jennings was able to get the gelding balanced again and the four-year-old then finished strongly to claim $4 favourite Shotgun Roulette and win drawing away. 
Distinctive Look had contested a Highway Handicap over 1600 metres at Randwick in August and Smith attributed some of Saturday’s success to the advice of top jockey Hugh Bowman, who rode the horse in that race. 
“Hughie came back after that race and said I should freshen the horse and bring him back to 1400 metres. I couldn’t quite find a 1400-metre race so I set him for the 1500 metres at Rosehill today. 
“It’s great for us to get down here and have a go at the big smoke. It’s unbelievable to have a win. 
“I’ve been training for three years with limited success but this is a big thrill to win a TAB Highway.”
Black-bookers
Last Friday’s Canberra races turned up two horses who should pay to follow. 
In the 1000-metre maiden, the Gratz Vella-trained $10 pop Wanna Get a What, ridden by Richard Bensley, blitzed his rivals to score by six lengths. 
“Never in doubt — it was a pretty soft win in the end,” said Bensley. 
In the following race, the 1600-metre maiden, the Matthew Dale-trained $2.10 favourite Autumn, piloted by Jay Ford, also led all the way to score by 4¼ lengths. 
The astute Dale predicts a bright future for the five-year-old O’Reilly mare.
“She just seemed to lack confidence early on in her career,” he said. “I think she’ll come on now. 
“She’ll be awfully hard to beat back here in a fortnight over 2000 metres.”
Sofin so fine
Coffs Harbour mare Sofin will be very hard to beat in next Friday’s Port Macquarie Cup after her easy win in last Sunday’s Cup Prelude (1812m) at the track.
The Shannon Fry-trained six-year-old, ridden by Ben Looker, scored by a length and a half as $3.20 favourite. 
Bundle of joy
Congratulations to Gulgong apprentice Jake Pracey-Holmes and his partner, Lisa, on the birth of their first child, daughter Ruby-Anne.
History buffs ahoy
Author Anne Field will be launcihing her book The History of Moorefield Racecourse (Kogarah) at the Moorefield Bowling Club, French Street, Kogarah, on October 13 at 2pm. 
For further information readers can email the author — ko77582@bigpond.net.au

 

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