Retail giant cottons on to local hopes
MARK Young isn’t feeling the Geelong Cup Day pressure.
And that’s probably a pretty good thing.
If there was one trainer who doesn’t have a runner in today’s Cup that might be feeling the heat, then it probably would be Young.
The Lara-based trainer saddles up three runners for local breeding operation Rosemont Stud, which has a strong connection with global retail giant Cotton On.
And you can bet your last dollar that there will be hundreds of Cotton On people inside the Dual Choice Bar that will be wanting a tip for one of the three Rosemont gallopers Young saddles up today.
“It doesn’t worry me one bit,” Young said of trying to train a winner on Cup Day.
“They (Cotton On) are great supporters of Geelong. It’s a good day and they understand racing. Hopefully the horses are in the right races and everything goes right on the day. We will soon find out.”
Former Godolphin gallop- ers Fanfaron and Eschiele are certain of runs, while connections will sweat on Hollywoodgirl making the field in the $120,000 Rosemont Stud Stakes after she was named fourth emergency.
The pressure valve could be released early with Fanfaron top weight in race one, the B&B Aluminium Products BM64 handicap (1400m).
Fanfaron ran a decent race first up over 1200m and looks suited to another step up in distance.
His second-up stats, a win and a third from three tries, also makes good reading for punters. Daniel Moor has the ride from barrier 12.
“We bought a package of tried horses of Darley and their form is proven,” Young said.
“He is a 1400m to a 1600m horse. He might get over more he is a bit older. He went to Moonee Valley over 1200 and will step out fitter this time.
“This is more a race to his liking. He has been working there (at Geelong) and he has a liking for a big track like Geelong.”
Eschiele competes in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country (1500m).
He is also second-up after a good stable debut at Geelong over 1350m.
Moor will ride from barrier nine.
“He has ran close up in a Group 3 over 2200m in Queensland. He is a 2000m horse and we bought him as a Colac/Terang Cup horse and what he is doing now is a bonus,” Young said.
“He is really going well. His first run at Geelong was terrific and the form from that race has worked out really well.” Series Heat 5