JUDGE’S STRIDE
Veteran galloper a leading hope in Country Stampede
RACING: Hard Stride might be the veteran runner at Doomben this weekend, but according to his trainer, he’s also the best in his race.
Toowoomba trainer Jason Judge is hoping the class factor can guide the 10-year-old to victory in the $50,000 Country Stampede Final (1110m).
“He’s the best horse in the race,” Judge said.
“You only have to read his resume and what he’s been doing. He’s the one to beat if you want to win.”
Coming into the race as the top rater, Hard Stride brings some quality form into Saturday, including a fourth to Just Orm here on August 22, a win in the Moree Town Plate and breaking the Gympie track record with 66kg on his back two starts ago.
The handicapper has given the gelding the top impost of 61kg, but Judge doesn’t believe that will work against him.
“He ran down in Melbourne carrying 60kg against better horses than I’ve put him up against,” he said.
“Those sort of horses can go through a purple patch and they’re hard to beat, although no race is easy.
“He smashed the track record with 66kg at Gympie, and was unlucky at Roma (last start). He came out on his nose at the start, was caught in traffic and was still only beaten under two lengths.”
After scratchings, Hard Stride will come into barrier 16, and Judge is leaving to jockey Paul Hamblin to decide where to place him in the run.
“I spoke to Hambo and he wants to go forward and make a race of it,” he said.
“He’ll just have to read it when he jumps. In racing anything can happen. He’s a good hoop to have on him.
“His last bit of fast work on Tuesday was pretty impressive.”
No matter what happens, Hard Stride will always hold a special spot in the heart of Judge, alongside his first Saturday metropolitan winner.
“Between him and Celespino, they’re the two best horses I’ve trained,” he said.
“A smaller trainer like myself doesn’t get that quality too often. You get what you’re given or what you can get.”
Toowoomba is well represented in the $105,000 Country Cups Challenge Final (1600m), with Splitz (Matt Kropp), Ritchford (Jackie Crompton), Mr Tickets (Donald Baker) and Boiling (Dale Groves) all engaged.
Rex Lipp has Bad Barista accepted for the $125,000 Listed Mode Plate.
The filly was a fast-finishing third behind Dusty Tycoon on November 14.