Newcastle trainer Paul Perry is no stranger to a classy horse, having enjoyed international success with Choisir, and might have another good ’un on his hands in Sky Lab, winner of the 1600-metre benchmark 78 at Randwick last Saturday.
Ridden by Robbie Dolan, the three-year-old $8 chance settled back in the field before finishing strongly along the rail to claim Zing late and score by a neck.
The gelding has now won three of his six starts, with Saturday’s victory coming at his first start in town. The impressive performance had some suggesting the youngster could be an Australian Derby prospect.
“He got over a trip last time in but he was still young and immature. He has grown and has definitely come back a lot better,” said stable spokesman Nathan Perry.
“Probably this race didn’t suit him. It was a sprint up the straight and he was held back on the rail but he just kept getting stronger and stronger and the further they’re going to get, the better he’s going to get.”
Kathy finds key to Kat
Scone trainer Jenelle Butler only has one horse in work but that was all she needed to take out Saturday’s Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap (1200m).
Ridden by Kathy O’Hara, six-year-old Haradasun gelding Katgully Red settled in third spot before ranging up to challenge at the 200-metre mark and drawing away to win by a length and a half from Commando Hunt with Praline third.
It was the gelding’s first win since taking out a Class 1 at Kembla Grange in July 2018, form that saw him go to the barriers last Saturday as a $21 chance.
While punters discarded the winner, Butler was quietly confident.
“I thought he had a big chance today after his last run. He raced down there (Randwick) a fortnight ago and ran second in the Class 2 Highway. He came on really well from that race and he drew well,” she said.
“It was a super ride by Kathy and with the advantage of riding him last start, that would have made a big difference for her. He can be a difficult ride.”
Brace in Brisvegas
Two country trainers, Murwillumbah’s Matthew Dunn and Tamworth’s Cody Morgan, enjoyed success north of the border on Saturday.
The pair ventured to Eagle Farm, where Dunn took out the 2212-metre benchmark 78 with Devine Grey ($6) while Morgan won the 1815-metre open handicap with odds-on favourite Ligulate.
Brad all the way
Punters were on the ball in last Friday’s Walcha Cup (1440m), with apprentice Yvette Lewis scoring on the Lesley Jeffriess-trained $2.90 favourite Call Me Brad.
The eight-year-old led throughout to score by three-quarters of a length from Editors with In Heart’s Wake third.
Call Me Brad has now won four of his past five starts.
In the day’s other features, the 1000-metre Graziers Cup went to the Ned Coldbeck-trained $3.80 favourite Kinjina, ridden by Luke Knowles, while the 1000-metre Lightning Handicap saw the Darren Egan-trained Bryan’s Babe ($21) score an upset win over Tallis with Wallace Street third. The winner was ridden by Jake Pracey-Holmes.
Emily on the board
Emily Atkinson scored her first win in the Rising Star series for apprentices when she rode the Matthew Dunn-trained Stuck With You ($3.50) to victory in last week’s 1600-metre Class 2 heat at Grafton.
With two heats of the series left before the final to be run at Canterbury on February 26, Atkinson is in equal 11th spot on nine points.
Mikayla Weir (35) holds a clear lead over Dylan Gibbons (22) and Tyler Schiller (20).
Whopper weekend
With autumn on the horizon, there’ll be plenty of country racing around the state this Saturday headed by an eight-race program at Coffs Harbour including the 1400-metre Country Championship Qualifier for the Northern Rivers district.
Also on Saturday’s agenda are the Balranald and Bedgerabong cups. To the south of the state it’s also cup day at picturesque Tumut. All three features are over 1400 metres.
On Sunday, the South East Racing Association’s $150,000 Country Championship Qualifier (1400m) will be run at Nowra.
“In terms of prizemoney, it will be the biggest race meeting ever held at Nowra, with total prizemoney for the day of $370,000,” said Shoalhaven Turf Club CEO Paul Weekes.
Distance doubts
There’s been plenty of discussion among commentators and trainers recently about race programming, in particular the lack of imagination reflected by a proliferation of sprints and very little in the way of staying races.
Looking at the races listed above, it’s not difficult to understand the criticism. You have three country cups and two Country Championship Qualifiers all to be run over 1400 metres.
I recently heard someone on radio refer to a 1600-metre race as a middle-distance event.
It’s little wonder international trainers look forward coming to Australia each spring to target our major staying races.
Hodder hangs up saddle
Port Macquarie jockey Belinda Hodder has announced her retirement from race riding after 10 years in the saddle.
Hodder announced on Facebook last week that she and her partner are expecting a baby in August. Hodder thanked all those who had supported her during her career.
“I am so excited for our next chapter but I will sincerely miss the industry and the people that have been so good to me.”