Now that was a ‘Helluva Run’ if you pardon the pun.
While everyone loves a winner and it’s always disappointing not to get the ultimate result, Helluva Barty did everything but win the Class 3 at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.
The QLD Rogues owners had to be content with second behind the Tony Gollan trained Standing Order which had a picnic in front.
PEACH OF A RIDE
It was a supurb piece of horsemanship from Justin Huxtable to overcome a difficult draw and while he came into barrier 9 after originally drawing 13, he still managed to have Helluva Barty three pairs back and getting cover – now that was a good effort.
“Awesome effort he went super.” Jockey Justin Huxtable said.
“We were pretty aggressive from a bad gate and it sort of paid off being able to get a good position in midfield.”
“The problem was after everyone found their positions early they sort of just all backed off the pace down the side which left me a little bit further back off the speed than I would have liked.”
“In saying that once I came off their backs he built very very strongly and maybe just felt the pinch late considering how easily the leader got it up front, but don’t worry our bloke has gone absolutely super” Justin concluded.
“Awesome effort he went super” Jockey Justin Huxtable
SECTIONALS TELL A TALE
When you delve a little bit further into the data, the figures add further credence to the performance even further.
To start with, Helluva Barty travelled 5 metres further than the winner Standing Order. He was 6th at the 800m mark and still 5th at the 400m pole until he pulled out to make a run.
After the soft lead, the winner was still able to run the fastest final sectionals but Helluva Barty was only fractions of a second off the best sectionals in the race.
Unfortunately, the race turned out the way trainer Matt Hoysted feared.
“To give you an idea in the Class 6 race over 1200m they went out in 35.89 seconds compared to our race where the first 600m was run in 37.13 seconds which means they’ve gone out 8 lengths slower in Helluva Barty’s race making it very difficult for the back markers if not impossible,” Hoysted said.
HELLUVA EARNS A WEEK OFF
To the eye, it didn’t quite look like a gut buster, but your horse certainly felt the run.
“Structurally, he’s come through that run in good order, trotted-up sound, his legs are nice and clean, but he is a little on the jaded side and probably just feeling the effects of that run.”
“He did leave a couple of dippers of feed overnight, really pleased with his run he’s gone super.”
“He’ll head to Kolora Lodge for a week, just want to get him off his legs. He’ll do some work on the water walker and go into a paddock during the day just to help him get over his run.”
WHAT NEXT?
Qld Rogues will have to be a little bit patient.
“We will wait three weeks and go to Eagle Farm. There’s a Benchmark 80 over 1200m, that’s going to be a race where he gets right down in the weights 54.5kg.”
“The options are to run him on Magic Millions Day in the Syndicate which is worth $1 million or potentially maybe take the softer option and the week before there’s a Rising Star event which is for three and a four-year-old, Class 4 which is for colts and geldings worth $250,000 which he could run in.
“We will probably use this next race at Eagle Farm to help decide which path we take.” Matt concluded.
Either way, the QLD Rogues have an exciting New Year period to look forward to.
Go you good thing!