PERFECT PEPPINO
JARROD Woodhouse has labelled Peppino’s victory in her Queensland debut brilliant after overcoming a shorter trip to win a race the jockey says was like riding with his eyes closed.
Peppino surpassed all expectations on Saturday at Aquis Park, proving too strong against sprint specialists, with the rain and track as heavy as each other.
The four-year-old gelding jumped well from gate three and settled at the back before taking the difficult inside line on his way to win the Maiden Handicap (1200m).
It was the fourth and final race of the day, with stewards abandoning the meet due to the deteriorating conditions.
The victory followed a winless 2½-year career in Victoria, which included two listed race appearances in his opening two runs, before joining Gold Coast trainer John Smeardon.
His previous six runs were all from 1700m and over.
“It was a brilliant run considering he is sort of a big horse and is usually one who would travel over a bit more distance,” Woodhouse said.
“His last few runs have been from 1600m to 2200m, so going back to 1200m on a pretty heavy track was a tough effort. The conditions weren’t ideal but he charged through it and didn’t worry about the wet.”
Knowing Peppino would probably be unable to handle the early speed, Woodhouse said he was always going to sit before making a move late.
“We knew they were probably going to go too hard and fast for a horse who is bred to get over ground,” Woodhouse said. “I had to try and get him travelling and then take a sit, try get back in the field and have one last crack.
“I had to ride for luck in the later stage of the race and it all went to plan. I was probably on the worst part of the track on the inside but I didn’t really have many other options in the end otherwise I might have been running into traffic.” Woodhouse detailed the difficulty in riding in the saddle during heavy rain.
“It was pretty much like riding with our eyes closed,” Woodhouse said. “By the time I was 200m into the race I couldn’t see through my goggles. They were fogged up, covered in mud and rain.
“I could only see the horse on the outside of me in the corner of my eye. To do that comes down to a fine art I suppose. It’s hard to judge when to go and where to place yourself, especially on a wet track. A lot of horses will tire early so you have to be cautious of the other riders. You have to be as safe as possible.”
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