WARRIOR BACK IN BUSINESS
FORMER star juvenile galloper Turk Warrior will be back in work next week for what could be the gelding’s toughest preparation.
Turk Warrior was Tasmania’s best two-year-old and made it eight wins in succession when he won his first two three-year-old events, but his winning run was ended by Alpine Wolf that excelled when he was stretched beyond 1400m.
Alpine Wolf defeated Turk Warrior in the Tasmanian Guineas over 1600m and went on to win the Launceston Guineas (2100m) but missed starting in the Tasmanian Derby because a leg injury.
Turk Warrior went on to win a 3YO handicap over 1100m but had to settle for minor placings at his subsequent three outings that concluding with a second to Popeye the Sailor in the $50,000 Autumn Classic over 1400m at Elwick in early May.
“I’ll more than likely bring Turk Warrior back into work next week because he’s had a decent spell and done very well during his two months off,” said trainer Glenn Stevenson. “His rating is high, so we’ll target the Newmarket and a lead-up race or two and then look at the decent sprint races during the carnival. It will be good to have him back in the stable and I’m keen to see where he fits in next season.”
Turk Warrior’s two-year-old halfbrother Chester Warrior makes his debut at Caulfield on Saturday in the opening race on the nine-event card.
Chester Warrior, prepared by Ben and JD Hayes at Lindsay Park, won a jump out by over five lengths at Flemington last week and while early markets have him at $15, he is considered by the stable as a strong each-way chance on debut. The gelding by Zululand from top-producing mare Ehor, was bred at Graeme McCulloch’s Grenville Stud in Tasmania and sold to Lindsay Park for $100,000 at the 2021 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
PREMIER thoroughbred trainer Scott Brunton has confirmed he will be cutting back numbers next season with the process of reducing stock to start in the coming weeks.
Brunton has had up to 100 horses on the books with at one stage having up to 80 in work at his and partner Tegan Keys’ Seven Mile Beach training complex.
“We have made a decision to cut back numbers substantially,” Brunton said. “It’s not something we can do overnight but it will happen, and we hope to halve the numbers. Reducing the numbers will be way more manageable and hopefully release us from a pressure cooker lifestyle.”
Brunton will win his seventh trainer’s premiership in his own right this season and he has another six when in partnership with his father David. BROOKLYN PARK STUD will reveal its two new stallions at a special event at the property at Nile Road Evandale on Saturday.
The stud has acquired Holler (Commands-Shout) and Squamosa (Not a Single Doubt-Class Success) and early interest from breeders suggests they will be popular additions to the state’s stallion rosters.
The event at starts at 2pm with the stallions scheduled to parade at 2.30 and the event will be catered.