COLT BIDS FOR JEWEL
CURRIE’S BIG HOPES
IT’S been a long, slow journey for Mishani Hustler but the colt could be about to cash in big for trainer Ben Currie who says he is ready to win the inaugural $250,000 QTIS Two-Year-Old Jewel on the Gold Coast.
Mishani Hustler went through three preparations over the course of a year while Currie educated the colt who repaid the trainer’s hard work by winning on debut at Doomben on February 10.
“We had him for a good 12 months by the time he got to the races,” a satisfied Currie said. “To have a horse, educate them, get them ready and get the job done is a satisfying feeling.
“It’s a good effort by all the staff and shows we can get results with nice horses.”
Mishani Hustler is one of many Currie trains for Mike Crooks, the owner of Mishani Farm near Beaudesert and the breeder of the colt.
The Jewel race on Saturday is shaping as a battle of Toowoomba trainers as Currie prepares to go up against the Kevin Kemp-trained Plumaro.
Plumaro is among the favourites but finished second behind Mishani Hustler when they last met in February and Currie said his colt had only improved since.
“He is spot-on,” Currie said. “I had this race in mind when he won his first start and hopefully the plan will come together on Saturday.
“Not too many horses go to town on debut and get the cash and also beat Plumaro who is probably his main danger on Saturday.
“It gives me a lot of confidence he is going to improve in his second start.
“He has had a really good time in between that win and this week and I think we have him primed and ready to win.”
It was on a dry track at their last battle and Plumaro has since gone on to prove it thrives in the wet, something they may face on Saturday at Aquis Park.
“The only thing I’m a little worried about on the weekend is the wet track,” Currie said.
“I’d like to see it dry out but you can’t control things like that.
“Everything we can control is in order and we’re going into Saturday pretty confident.”
Mishani Hustler will be ridden by premier jockey Jeff Lloyd and Currie said a win this weekend would likely result in the horse going out to the paddock before returning for the winter carnival.