WEIR SHINES WITH HELP OF ACE HORSEMEN
keep up with Renew, dropping out of the placings after settling within striking distance.
Renew, imported from Europe by syndication group OTI 2½ years ago, had “lost his way’’ on the flat, according to Allen, but he has been recycled and has become the most exciting jumper in the state, now unbeaten in three hurdle starts.
The Galleywood win took Allen’s carnival haul to five, one short of Dean Yendall’s record, with a day to go.
Allen’s winners have come on the flat and over the obstacles, confirming Weir’s long-held view that Allen is the greatest horseman he has worked with.
Weir is also a remarkable horseman, as adept with Group 1 horses as bush battlers, sprinters as marathon jumpers.
It was another power couple of sorts who combined to win the Wangoom Handicap with longshot Ulmann.
Weir trained the winner – with a day to go his ninth for the carnival – but it was Peter Moody who first appeared in the mounting yard, as the winning owner.
Moody said he had been in awe of Weir’s winning habit over the first two days. For good measure, Weir also trained the Wangoom Handicap runner-up Stellar Collision.
“I said to Weiry before the race to give the battlers a go and then I remembered he had one of mine in the next,’’ Moody joked.
“He’s got no peer at the moment, Darren. I’m just glad I could be part of the Darren from Ballarat phenomenon.’’
Weir said Moody had become a solid stable ally since retiring from training last year.
“When Pete gave it away, he gave us quite a few horses and quite a few owners, too, so it’s great to give something back,’’ he said.
Moody had been the previous trainer of Ancient King, who won a hurdle race for Weir on Tuesday.
Asked what it was like to train for his one-time rival, Weir said: “It’s pretty simple. He just rings you up and tells you ‘You’ve gotta get rid of that one’.’’
Ulmann had recovered from a back ailment to storm home to win the rich Victorian bush sprint and is heading to Brisbane for the winter carnival.