Go Racing import breaks track record
Go Racing import Speycaster broke the track record at Hawkesbury on Sunday while also maintaining the New Zealand-based syndication company’s incredible 100-percent winning success rate for European horses in Australia.
The five-year-old son of Highland Reel completed the 2000 metres in the slick time of 2:01.42.
Ridden by Kathy O’Hara, Speycaster jumped well from barrier seven before being settled midfield on the rail, where he stayed until the home bend where O’Hara guided him through the field to find clear running in the straight to win by 0.26 lengths.
“It was a really good win this afternoon,” O’Hara said. “It was a good tempo and he relaxed into a good rhythm and raced really nicely. At the corner he zipped through well and then the other horse had too much dash for him in the first part of the straight, but he kept finding and he kept chasing and he was really good through the line. I do think he’s going to get further but at the same time he’s probably got a little more upside.”
While impressed with his ability during the race O’Hara cautioned that there was room for improvement when it came to his pre-race behaviour.
“He’s sensitive, that’s probably the best word to describe him,” she said. “He was a bit hot pre-race in the enclosure and needed the pony to keep him quiet. He cantered down to the start by himself okay but then needed a lead behind the gates again. I think once he really learns to settle down into Australian racing then he’ll be much better for it.
Trainer Chris Waller said that he would take good confidence from Sunday’s win.
“There are few things to iron out including the parade ring,” he said. “But he will most likely go to Randwick on October 25 and run over 2400m.”
Go Racing have been purchasing European horses to race in Australia for the past eight years, with every single one of them so far having won in Australia.
Among the most recent success stories are million-dollar earner Skyman, seven-time winner Shibli, stakes winner Al Aabir, seven-time winner Otyrar, four-time winner Chernak and three-time winner Mutamanni who was purchased less than 12 months ago.
Go Racing will be active at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale later this month and welcome those wanting to be a part of their enormously successful European Import programme to register their interest by phoning 0508 GORACING (0508 467224) or emailing albert@goracing.co.nz.