Guy Links with Heathcote for a win
Stradbroke Handicap winner Bryan Guy got the band back together with his former apprentice Michael Rodd at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but the retired trainer says he is much happier on the other side of the fence as an owner.
Guy, who gave up training two years ago has continued to manage the interest of some Hong Kong owners and has struck gold with Press Link, who continued his unbeaten run for trainer Rob Heathcote on Saturday.
While his Hong Kongbased owners scramble to find a permit to get Press Link to the Asian racing mecca, Guy is keen to race the threeyear-old in the winter carnival following his demolition job in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1200m), in what was his first Saturday metropolitan outing.
It marks the latest in a long line of bargain buy horses that Guy has identified for Hong Kong and says they are keen to see what Press Link can produce during the winter.
“It is owned by my clients in Hong Kong, they always get me to buy a few horses for them,” he said.
“The last two I have sent them have both won almost $1m each up there, I only paid $30,000 and $50,000 for them both.
“I only paid $45,000 for this bloke, they haven’t got a permit at the moment to get him up there, so I will be telling them to keep him here for the winter carnival if Rob thinks he is good enough.”
A tilt at the $350,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas is now on the radar for connections, with Guy happy to leave the planning up to Heathcote, who is now building a strong winter carnival army.
Heathcote confirmed he is keen to target the Guineas on May 4, via the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) on April 20.
The multiple Group 1 winner, Guy, says there are no itches to return to training as Press Link looms as a promising horse.
“It is good leaving it to Rob, he does all the training of him,” Guy said.
“I used to be the one up at half-past three in the morning doing the work, now I am retired it is great.
“Rob is up early doing the work and I am in bed having a sleep.”