Aaron Purcell declined to get caught up in any hype over Palatial Power’s impressive debut victory at Hamilton last Sunday but the Group 1-winning trainer conceded the three-year-old should race through his classes with a minimum of fuss.
Wth top jockey John Allen in the saddle, Palatial Power ($26) was slow out and settled well back in the field before storming home to defeat Cold Beers and Sumusu in the 1100-metre maiden.
Purcell bought Palatial Power for $NZ25,000 at the 2018 Karaka yearling sales. The gelding, by British-bred Kiwi stallion Power, returned more than half his purchase price with Sunday’s win.
“Let’s just say I was surprised by the victory,” the Warrnambool-based trainer said. “I thought he would have wanted more ground.
“My intention when I purchased him was to onsell him but after that win today we’ll be keeping him.
“We haven’t rushed him — I’ve given him time to mature.”
Purcell said Palatial Power would head straight to the spelling paddock following his debut win.
Meanwhile, Purcell was upbeat with the first-up placing of Midas Prince in a benchmark 78 over 1300 metres at Bendigo last Saturday.
“It was a big run,” he said. “I’ve got no doubt he would have won if the race was just a bit longer.
“His first-up form wasn’t much good until Saturday so he looks like he’s in for a good campaign.
“I think there’s a race at Geelong (April 15) which should really suit him.”
Purcell’s consistent galloper Guizot may be heading to the spelling paddock following his unplaced run in the $150,000 Golden Mile at Bendigo on Saturday.
“I’m just not sure which path we’ll head down with Guizot,” he said.
“I’m weighing up two options — give him a break or give him one more run over 1600 metres at Caulfield. I’ll make a decision later in the week.”
From 53 starts Guizot has won $662,320.
Tough by name ...
Warrnambool trainer Adam Chambers may be forced to look at minor country cups for Tough Vic after the six-year-old lumped 64.5kg to win a benchmark 58 at his home track last Friday.
Tough Vic ($31), having only his sixth start for Chambers, registered his third victory for the stable in defeating Astro Castro and Princess Kayo.
Tough Vic was trained by James McNamara before he handed in his licence last year.
“The win showed just how tough he is,” Chambers said. “He gives 100 per cent in his races.
“I’ve got to look at open handicaps for him now. The best option is probably minor country cups, where he’ll drop about 10 kilos.
“He’s a versatile horse. He can travel forward or back in the run, and he lives up to his name.
“I’d originally thought of running him over jumps, but I’m not sure he stays and I’m not sure he likes wet tracks.”
Chambers praised jockey Luke Williams for his winning ride.
The stewards were less impressed, fining Williams $500 and suspending him for 20 metetings for using his whip seven times prior to the 100-metre mark. His ban expires on Thursday April 16.
Jack Martin was also suspended at the Warrnambool meeting after pleading guilty to careless riding on Flag Edition. Martin’s ban starts this Sunday and also expires on Thursday April 16.
Worth the wait
Peter Chow pulled the right rein running Kent Street at Racing.com Park last Friday night rather than at Warrnambool that afternoon.
Kent Street ($15) defeated Thunder Pace and El Guerrouj in a $35,000 benchmark 64 over 1200 metres at Pakenham.
The horse’s owners collected $7000 more than if Kent Street had won the benchmark 58 at his home track.
“I’ve got no doubt he would have won at Warrnambool but he would have been carrying a lot more weight,” Chow said.
“He’s a quirky type of horse. He’s got a bit of ability but he has his hang-ups.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Tennielle Onyett, who rides him in his trackwork. She does a great job with him.”
Chow, who has 10 horses in work said he was eyeing off a race at the Warrnambool May carnival for Kent Street, assuming the carnival goes ahead.
Kent Street took his stake earnings to $116,830.