Pressure on hoop all worth it in end
TRAINERS putting a bit of pressure on a jockey is nothing new.
But, if you have to cop it all morning at track work and then for the rest of the day at home, it might become a bit much.
For leading Tablelands hoop Wanderson D’Avila, that was his life all this week hearing about Mister Magnusifent.
Wife and trainer Sharlee D’Avila had a fair opinion of the three-year-old gelding after a promising debut north Queensland run at Townsville last month.
That day, the former Ben Ahrens trained gelding in NSW ran a length behind Noble Squaw and Sharlee was brimming with confidence that a breakthrough victory was just around the corner.
And, didn’t she let Wanderson know about it.
“I am glad this is over, the pressure had been on,” Wanderson said with a cheeky grin after the gelding saluted at Cannon Park on Thursday afternoon.
“The whole week, she would not stop.”
The D’Avila combination and Mister Magnusifent were spot on as the gelding skipped away by almost two lengths in the QTIS Two-Years-Old and Three-Years-Old Maiden Handicap (1250m).
“Anyway, he jumped all right and he is still a little green,” Wanderson said.
“When he got to the front, he did his job.
“Sharlee likes the horse a lot, as you can see, but he still very green.”
Sharlee, who has picked up eight winners from her last 50 starters, thinks Mister Magnusifent has a bright future.
“That was a very nice win,” Sharlee said.
“I have put the pressure on Wanderson a bit over the last few weeks.
“I was expecting it to be honest, I have been going on about the horse to Wanderson the last few weeks, thinking he was going well and going to win.
“I know I have a nice horse, he is still green, and when he gets all his stuff together, I think we are going to have a bit of fun with him.
“Keep an eye on him, I am wrapped with him.”
Meanwhile, the Burdekin Race Club hosts the next TAB Battle of the Bush qualifier at Home Hill today.
In addition to the qualifier, the meeting also includes the Benchmark 69 Burdekin Cup.
Far North trainers Stephen Potiris, Scott Cooper, Stefanie Horner and Stephen Wilson sent horses south to Home Hill yesterday afternoon.
Innisfail’s Potiris has reigning Gordonvale Cup winner Try Me Dol in the $15,000 Cup with Frank Edwards in the saddle.
HE SAID IT I AM GLAD THIS IS OVER, THE PRESSURE HAD BEEN ON. SHE WOULD NOT STOP. SHARLEE LIKES HIM. TABLELANDS HOOP WANDERSON D’AVILA