Aaron Purcell will give his tough jumper Instigator a short break after minor placings in the Brierly and Grand Annual steeplechases at Warrnambool last week before bringing him back for jumps features later in the year.
Purcell is contemplating August’s Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Steeplechase for Instigator, who ran third in the Brierly and second in the Grand Annual. Stawell-trained Duke Of Bedford won both Warrnambool’s chasing features.
“Instigator has gone to the paddock for a few weeks,” Purcell said. “He did a huge job. Duke Of Bedford was just too good for us in both races but Instigator was gallant in defeat.
“I’d say at this stage we’ll run in the Grand National Steeplechase. We may go around in the hurdle but we’ll wait and see.”
Meanwhile, Purcell has pencilled in a $150,000 benchmark 100 race at Sandown on May 24 for last week’s Wangoom Handicap winner, Dashing.
“He’s been a great horse for his connections,” he said. “He puts 100 per cent into his races. The benchmark race at Sandown looks ideal for his next start.”
Dashing took his stake earnings to $839,425 with his Wangoom victory.
Alco heading home
Lightly raced Warrnambool galloper Alcoshare has pulled up well after an impressive victory at his home carnival last week, according to trainer Simon Ryan.
With local jockey Tom Madden in the saddle, Alcoshare ($7.50) proved too strong for his rivals in the $50,000 Grand Events Hire & Styling BM64 Handicap (1300m) on cup day.
Ryan said the four-year-old would have his next start in the benchmark 64 Muntham Handicap (1400m) on Casterton Cup day, May 18.
“He pulled up a million dollars,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt putting the blinkers on really helped his chances last Thursday.
“It looks a nice race for Alcoshare at Casterton. The majority of his owners are from Casterton and he was bred up there. I’m sure his owners would love to win a race on Casterton Cup day.”
From his 16 starts, Alcoshare has three wins, eight minor placings and $94,855 in earnings.
Rick got rumbled
Hard to believe it’s coming up 53 years since the Royal School ring-in at Casterton.
The scandal in May 1972 saw handy galloper Regal Vista substituted for the bumble-footed Royal School.
The mastermind, used-car salesman Rick Renzella, got a financial result but also got two years in prison.
There were no microchips to identify horses in that era but the betting on the Muntham Handicap triggered alarm bells after a plunge was landed.
Renzella had bought Royal School for $350 on the back of an unplaced run in the Castlereagh Picnic Cup in May 1971.
The off-course tote was operating on the 1972 Muntham Hanidcap and the sprint was the second leg of the daily double. With Steve Wood in the saddle, Royal School should have been a $50 chance but opened at $4 on the on-course tote, which raised a red flag in the betting ring.
Royal School started at 7/4 ($2.75) after being backed with a handful of bookies.
Wood did his best to hold Regal Vista back but the galloper won by three lengths and correct weight was declared with Royal School the winner.
He paid $3.80 for a win but the daily double with Gay Demand paid $119.90 for 50 cents.
It was claimed at the time that Renzella had made $100,000 on the punt on that Friday afternoon but investigators settled on $33,600 as a more realistic figure.
This year’s Muntham Handicap will be run as a benchmark 64 over 1400 metres on Sunday week (May 18), Casterton Cup day.