Power good … no sweat
TRAINER Michael Costa has never seen Seat Of Power sweat, making one of his newest stable additions also one of the most mysterious.
Costa is yet to get a true gauge on the four-year-old’s ability as he prepares to race in today’s Class 1 Handicap (1400m) at Aquis Park with jockey Glen Colless in the saddle.
Seat Of Power won in his first start for Costa since being shifted to Queensland by the Gold Coast trainer’s client Orbis Bloodstock.
The Sea The Stars gelding saluted in a maiden at his new home track on June 8, sitting on pace before accounting for his closest rival Succeedandconquer by more than three lengths.
Costa has been in the racing game long enough not to be surprised by the margin of the win for a horse first-up over 1400m but he conceded Seat Of Power gave no indication of what could be to come.
“When it comes to track work he is very lacklustre and doesn’t give you anything,” Costa said.
“I have never actually seen the horse sweat which is strange.
“When you gallop most horses they come back hot and sweaty. He probably just doesn’t work himself hard enough.
“He didn’t give us a good enough gauge to make us think he was that talented. He is very hard to assess.”
Costa had hoped to step Seat Of Power up in distance this week but after drawing barrier 19 of 19 at Coffs Harbour for a 1600m race the stable had to settle for another run at 1400m today.
“Unfortunately there are just no races around so he will have another run at 1400m before stepping up to 1800m in two weeks time.
“He is bred to get over a lot of ground.”
Costa will start Malahide run over 1400m at Eagle Farm today, a fortnight after running second to Signore Fox in the Listed Daybreak Lover at the same track.
Costa said the three-yearold filly was one of a number tussling to be “queen bee’’ of the stable and would consider taking her to the Sunshine Coast Guineas in two weeks.
“If not then she will have a bit of a let-up and we will decide with the owners if she goes down to one of the spring carnivals down south or if we hold her off and keep her back here for the Magic Millions (in January).”