Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde predicts a bright career over the jumps for Stockman after his maiden hurdle win at Warrnambool on Sunday.
“We’ve always had a good opinion of Stockman,” he said. “I thought he’d be competitive. His previous jumps start at Terang was full of merit and he improved with that effort under his belt.
“I’m not sure whether we’ll spell him and bring him back for next jumps season.
“He’s definitely improved with this season under his belt.
“We’ll monitor his condition and how he feels this week before making any future jumping plans.”
Stockman ($2.90) was the first of three jumps winners at the meeting for top jockey Steven Pateman, who also won on Bitcoin ($8) and Stern Idol ($1.70 favourite).
Pateman’s win on Bitcoin had added meaning as it was the first winner as a trainer for his wife, Jess.
“It’s pretty special to have my first winner and to have Steve ride it makes it even better,” she said.
“Bitcoin shows a lot of ability over the jumps and should run well in tougher races later in the season.”
Bitcoin has won two of his four jumps starts.
Perhaps the most impressive winner at the Warrnambool meeting was local jumper Noonday Gun ($1.70), who remains unbeaten from four jumps starts after taking the Warrnambool Sheetmetal Mark Primmer Memorial Steeplechase, a benchmark 120 affair over 3450 metres.
Originally trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and later by Steven Pateman, Noonday Gun is now with Shane Jackson and was ridden on Sunday by Jackson’s fellow Irishman Tom Ryan.
Wil on Plate trail
The $5 million Group 1 Cox Plate is on the agenda for boom Woolsthorpe bred galloper Another Wil as part of an ambitious spring campaign laid down by champion trainer Ciaron Maher.
This year’s Cox Plate, to be run on Saturday October 25, will be the last on the current Moonee Valley track before the famous course undergoes major redevelopments.
Speaking from the UK, Maher said Another Wil’s spring campaign would kick off in the $1 million Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 23 and end with a start in the Cox Plate, with options in between including the Makybe Diva and Turnbull Stakes.
The lightly raced five-year-old has been spelling in NSW since running sixth in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 5.
“He’s had a great spell,” Maher said. “I’d say it’s the best he’s spelled.
“He’s quite an active horse and loves his routines but this time he settled in really well.
“He’s come back into work a bigger and stronger horse.”
Another Wil won the Group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield before an unlucky fourth in the All-Star Mile and his unplaced run in the Doncaster. Maher was happy with the campaign.
“I thought he was very competitive in the autumn,” he said. “He had no luck in the All-Star Mile and there were a few excuses in the Doncaster. I’m confident he’s going to run really well in this upcoming preparation.”
From his 16 starts Another Wil — who was bred at Woolsthorpe’s Union Station by the late Colin McKenna and wife Janice — has won nine races and earned more than $1.7 million.
Distance gets it done
From A Distance’s win in last Saturday’s $150,000 Silver Bowl Series Final was well deserved according to Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde.
The Flemington victory under Declan Bates was the second from five starts for From A Distance and Wilde believes his record could have been even better with luck.
“He’s been unlucky in a couple of his races,” he said.
“He won his maiden at Donald then should have probably won at the Warrnambool carnival, where he was flashing home, then he was unlucky at Ballarat.
“He’s a nice type of horse and I reckon there’s plenty of upside to him.
“The win is a great result for John Sutcliffe, who bred him and races him in partnership with his good mate Gerry Ryan.”
From his five starts From A Distance has earned $165,400.
Beyond back-up plan
Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan plans to back up his honest galloper Ocean Beyond at Caulfield this Saturday after the seven-year-old’s bold fourth in the Winter Championship at Flemington last Saturday.
Ryan was delighted with Ocean Beyond’s run at huge odds ($151) in the listed 1600-metre race.
“He’s just so honest,” he said.
“He’s a difficult horse to ride — he gets back and needs luck — but one of these days he’ll get a bit and win a nice city race.”
Ocean Beyond took his stake earnings to more than $480,000 after picking up $9000 for his fourth placing in the Winter Championships.
Star of track and field
Western District racing is mourning legendary trainer Ken Phillips, who died late last month.
Phillips trained countless winners from his Lake Bolac stables including top-class gallopers Royal Peak, New Summer, Kenronald and Super Saint.
Off the track, Phillips played in four successive premierships (1954-57) with Lake Bolac in the Mininera Football League. Deepest sympathy is extended to the Phillips family at this sad time.