Back to the races tomorrow at Trentham. Firstly we believe our horse is actually better today than he was leading into the Railway. He has maintained his weight, he is great in the coat, he is bright and happy. He is full of energy and is in mint condition. He has thrived in NZ under the care and attention of Darren Smith's travelling foreman Shane Treweek. The horse has worked brilliantly at Te Rapa where he has had the use of the course proper every day for trot and canter and fast works. Also they took him back over to Cambridge for a look around to break up his routine.
After the Railway win the horse went to Shane's Treweek's brother's farm at Cambridge where he was treated like a king in a beautiful paddock and the horse rebounded very well. Last Thursday he worked between races at Te Rapa and the reports were his final furlong was outstanding. Then he had his final hit out on Tuesday dashing up a furlong and he was at his peak.
He travelled from Te Rapa to Otaki on Thursday about a 5 hour trip south and was stabled at the course. He had a trot and walk on Friday morning and was in picture perfect condition. Darren Smith was there and rang Dean very upbeat how good the horse was looking. He will have a walk on Friday afternoon and a light trot and canter on Saturday morning before heading into Trentham which is just over 1 hour away.
Shane Treweek slept in a loft room above the stable overnight as security and will do the same again on Friday night. He reported it was very rough and cold in the loft but the horse was happy in 5 star horse heaven and that's all that is important. We can't thank Shane Treweek and his extended family enough for what they have done for the horse, Darren Smith and our owners.
Nash Rawiller is travelling over to NZ with Dean on the 6:00pm Flight Friday evening. Nash is upbeat about the horse and his chances to win the double. He could have already started his suspension but asked for a stay in proceedings to partner Atomic Force so commences his suspension on Saturday evening.
We have spoken with several people over recent days ensuring that we know as much as possible about Trentham and its unusual traits. It is 1200m and almost straight but does have a slight dog leg at the 450m.The track is constantly falling from barriers to post. Also Trentham is known for getting howling winds. Most of the time winds are pushing horse's home from behind. Also the track has irrigation towards the fence but not much out wide. So sometimes the fence can be off by breaking up and the outside is hard like a road. This is why the times are very quick at the track. Its also a track that you don't want to go too early because like Flemington the lightweight late swooped can get you. You need to wait to about the 300m because the last 50m is the danger zone.
It is a very hard assignment we are trying to achieve, if not near enough impossible. We have a huge amount of weight at 59.0kgs on a 52.0kg limit. Last start we were 58.0 on a 55.0 limit less 2 for the girls. To give you an idea, last year Mufhasa won as a multiple Gr1 winner rated the same as us at 107 benchmark but only carrying 56.5kgs. This year we are weighted the same at 107 but have 59.0kgs. The handicapper believes this reflects the weakness of the race this year as Mufhasa was rated 111 this year and got 61 kgs. That's why he scratched.
Our concern is not the ability of the exposed opposition. It's us. Can we carry 59.0kg on a good (hard) surface in fast time. Or will the weight and the jarring up in the track take its toll ? Will a swooper grab him late with 52.0kgs ? Will Durham Town from barrier 1 with no weight this time get lucky with his 5.5 kg pull ? Has he been up too long ?
We can only tell you after the race. But we know the guys with the horse can't have him any better than right here, right now. Maybe he is over the top and bad habits like missing the start are a concern. Nash can't use spurs in NZ like he can here so the horse is naturally a lazy type and might have tried to put it over Nash last start.
Weights and measures say we are better than the opposition. AS a dual Gr1 winner class says we are as well. With the top weight scratching it's a help although the 8 x Gr1 winner didn't really worry us that much carrying 61.0kgs. You always need luck in running whether in a Bong Bong picnic maiden or a Gr1.
However the horse is on the Cusp of Immortality. Very few horses have won the Railway / Telegraph double. None from Australia. We also sit on the cusp of being Champion NZ Sprinter and also a Triple Group 1 Winner. We are also on the verge of closing in on the $1m mark in Australia Dollars.
Not a bad position from where we were when we got beaten in a humble Benchmark 70 at Wyong on a Sunday. Since then 23 starts - 23 prize cheques and another 9 wins including 2 Gr1's and 2 LR wins.
Win, loose or draw our owners have had the ride of a lifetime and one that dreams are made of.
He could feature in a movie such is the storyline!
It simply doesn't matter what comes from now on because simply its too hard to imagine the owners will ever get another horse to give them a ride like this. Enjoy it for what its worth, what the horse has achieved, terrific heights and the memories and photos are on the wall. After all, he was only a $50,000 yearling in session 5 part of a MM catalogue.
We wish connections all the very best.
We all like to win but if we don't, that's cool - that's racing ! Its been a fabulous trip to NZ.