The Vic Husslers had a triple treat Saturday with 3 runners and don’t get me wrong, winning is always the aim and the ultimate result.
But for those of you who know the racing industry so well, you understand just how hard it is to be competing on a Saturday at major venues in this country.
The Vic Husslers should be proud to have three runners from their team running across three states.
At Caulfield, Lethal Thoughts and Frumos went enormous, while Miss Trustful had simply come to the end of her preparation at Doomben.
LETHAL THOUGHTS – CAULFIELD RACE 2
Just in case Vic Husslers forget, this bloke ran the best ever 5th in the Group 1 JJ Atkins as a 2yo and then as a 3yo lead a top class field on the home turn of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
He’s won 3 for the Vic Husslers, including first-up this current prep, but it’s worth keeping in mind he’s had two throat operations but continues to try his heart out.
And that was again the case on Saturday at Caulfield.
“Lethal” is a go forward horse and after drawing barrier 13 jockey Ethan Brown had no choice but to drive forward.
“He obviously ran well without winning. They were just a bit better than him today but he is much improved.
I’d like to see this horse draw a gate, land somewhere without having to ask him too much too early.
He has a win in him soon and just needs a few things to go his way” jockey Ethan Brown said.
Lethal Thoughts & Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull pre-race at Caulfield. Image courtesy of Karen Fitzsimons (Thank you Karen)
The VIC Husslers beloved horse Lethal Thoughts
WHAT’S NEXT FOR LETHAL THOUGHTS
Make no mistake this bloke is going well and he will target a similar type of race in a couple of weeks time according to Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull.
“That’s how you have to use him, he has to go forward and now (post the throat operations) he only can accelerate for about a furlong with the way his wind is.
There’s a similar race back here in a fortnight, a 1400m Benchmark 84. All being well we will be back here and pray we can draw a gate, because if he does he lands there without doing too much work as he did today and you’ll get a stronger finish” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
FRUMOS AT CAULFIELD
We all have an opinion on the speed map, we all have an opinion on race tactics, it’s all part of owning a horse and the build-up to race day – part of the fun of ownership.
Hours are spent by trainers, form students and now data analysts coming up with the best possible tactics for your horses.
The only problem is that all goes out the window as the gates fly back. That was never more obvious than with Frumos on Saturday in Race 6 at Caulfield.
The pre-race plan was to jump, let your Group 3 winning mare find her feat, be comfortable somewhere behind the leading group and with a bit of luck find a nice passage in the straight.
Frumos focused and ready at the stalls in Caulfield
VIC Husslers owners cheering Frumos and Lethal Thoughts at Caulfield
THE REALITY
She jumped really well – too well if that is possible even maybe catching jockey Michael Dee by surprise.
Even from the good gate (barrier 6), they kicked up on her inside and Michael Dee had to make the choice: do I sit here three wide or go and lead?
“Look obviously leading was part of the plan but she jumped super cleanly this time. It was actually the winner that kicked up from outside and made us do a bit more work than we wanted which was unfortunate.
Once we found the position in front she travelled well and gave us a good kick in the straight and tried hard, she’s improving all the time” jockey Michael Dee said.
WHAT’S NEXT
Nobody was more shocked about Frumos leading than trainer Ben Hayes.
“Well that wasn’t the plan , but that’s racing.
Stepping up to the 1700m for the first time I thought she did a great job sticking on to just get beaten for third.
She’ll come on a lot from that and a 10% quieter ride and she will come on again.
We are heading in the right direction and a win is not too far away.
There’s a Benchmark 84 1600m on August 3 and the week before there’s a Benchmark 88 Mile race at Randwick. So, we will just wait and see how everything stacks up and choose the best option.” trainer Ben Hayes said.
Frumos posing at the stalls in Caulfield
Miss Trustful and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor
MISS TRUSTFUL – A MEMORABLE FIRST 2YO PREPARATION
When you think about it Miss Trustful has done a remarkable job in her first ever preparation.
When you consider the statistics that circa 90% of 2yo don’t make it to the track, she has been stoic in being away from home and having a massive 6 starts in her first preparation and all of them have been away from home in Victoria.
In saying that, the advantage of being with all the powerful Ciaron Maher yard is that home “Is where the horse is in any of their stables” across the Eastern Seaboard.
QTIS BONUS
Just in case you don’t know the reason this Vic Husslers filly hasn’t raced in her home state yet is that she is by Dubious who stood at Aquis Stud on the Gold Coast meaning she was eligible for the lucrative QTIS Bonus schemes on offer in the Sunshine State.
Miss Trustful won her Maiden and 7 days after that was placed in the Listed Phoenix Stakes meaning she is a black type filly giving her owners significant residual value.
There were excuses for Miss Trustful.
“There was definitely some sting out of that track and she is better on top of ground, but she has had a good preparation but is probably just feeling it today.
She’s a nice horse who’s done a lot this prep and she is going to come back a really nice filly after a spell” jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor said.
Miss Trustful at the tie-ups in Doomben
Doomben Racecourse
A SPELL BECKONS
I think we all agree Miss Trustful deserves a nice long spell in the warmer climate of Queensland. Well that is the plan at this stage.
She’ll have a few months in the paddock and get ready for a Summer campaign hopefully highlighted by targeting the Magic Millions carnival on the Gold Coast in the second weekend of January.
The Vic Husslers have a nice filly on their hands with a bright future.