Stanley’s stayer is a family enterprise
IT will be a family affair for trainer Brent Stanley when he saddles up four-year-old stayer Violate in today’s Geelong Cup.
The Sutton Grange-based horseman, who rode Arctic Scent to victory in the 1996 Caulfield Cup, has his father and siblings as shareholders in the son of Sebring, who will jump from barrier afternoon.
But if that doesn’t put enough pressure on Stanley to produce a winner, his biggest fan, wife Paris, is also a part owner.
“It’s a bit of a family horse as I’ve got my father and two brothers who have shares in him so if we could get him over the line in a Group 3 race it would be sensational,” Stanley said. six this
“My wife is in it as well so there is plenty of pressure on me if he doesn’t race any good.
“This would be his biggest win, he’s run second in Group 2s but he hasn’t won a group race yet so this would definitely be his biggest win.”
Violate could not be in better form heading into the Cup, with third and second placings backed up with a win at his last start over 2000m at Caulfield last Wednesday.
He finished fourth in the Group 1 Queensland Derby in March over 2200m and while today represents a step up in grade this preparation, Stanley has no concerns he can be in the mix.
“I’ve got no issue with the 2400m, he’s raced over that 2200m a couple of times,” he said.
“It is these cups races we were getting him ready for throughout this preparation depending on what level he got to.
“We were hoping he might have won a couple on the way through — he was a bit unlucky in those, but he won well at his last start so he’ll back up well in the Geelong Cup. He’s racing really well and has got good form leading into it.”
Jamie Winks has been booked to ride Violate, who has been installed as a $10 chance with bookmakers.