STAYING COOL: NO WORRIES FOR HOUSE OF DRAMA TRAINER AT AQUIS PARK
HOUSE Of Drama finished 17 lengths behind the winner in the first trial of her current preparation.
It was a result that left Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa and his stable scratching their heads but their persistence with the three-yearold filly has paid off following a win in the Maiden Handicap (1300m) at Aquis Park on Saturday.
“She had her first race start last prep and ran quite well but she was needing a spell,” race manager Michael Morrison said.
“She was just showing some immaturity.
“When she got beaten by 17 lengths we were left scratching our heads as to what was happening.
“We persisted with her and gave her another couple of solid trials and she came out (last Friday week) at the Sunshine Coast and ran second first-up. We just found this over 1300m and thought she was going to be pretty well placed. “Our horses back up well so she was on the eight-day back up. They always seem to perform quite well on the back-up for us.
“I’m not sure what the secret is but we just try to keep them happy and healthy and keep them moving forward on their week in between.
“We are really happy with the win and obviously she gets through the mud quite well. She is a real mudlark.
“We thought she would travel a bit closer to the speed but (jockey) Glen (Colless) had her absolutely running for home. It was never in doubt at the 300m mark.”
Morrison credited some added fitness and the addition of blinkers for House Of Drama’s dramatic turnaround.
“The blinkers have really helped and she looks like she will hopefully win a couple more,” he said. “We should get two or three runs out of her this preparation but we will see how she pulls and try to plan a nice and easy Fillies and Mares Class 1 for her.”
I’M NOT SURE WHAT THE SECRET IS BUT WE JUST TRY TO KEEP THEM HAPPY AND HEALTHY MANAGER MICHAEL MORRISON