Wisdom Of Water seen as major threat
JIM Byrne says he hasn’t traded notes with rival Robbie Fradd, but he’s been keeping a close eye on Wisdom Of Water ahead of his clash with Rothfire in next month’s J.J. Atkins.
Rothfire surged to the top of Ladbrokes’ J.J. Atkins betting market at $4 with his powerful Champagne Classic win on Saturday, with Wisdom Of Water on the third line of betting at $5.50.
“I have been watching Wisdom Of Water quite intently,” Byrne told Radio TAB’S Past The Post.
“In his first start,
Rob
Heathcote and I were worried about him.
“Wisdom Of Water capitulated that day and Rothfire went on and won.
“But I respect Wisdom Of Water. He’s a very smart horse, you only have to see the way he’s been winning.
“He looked nice on the track (on Saturday), he’s a nice horse, but I’ve also got a very nice horse.”
While he is super confident in the Group 1 chances of Rothfire, Byrne is not writing off the Stradbroke winning chances of Vega One, despite his unplaced effort in Saturday’s Victory Stakes.
“I probably erred. I should have sat straight in behind Victorem,” he said.
“Unfortunately Freddie Fox Trot kicked up underneath and hence that sat me out on a limb. The horse just worked the whole time. He never switched off. It’s quite imperative he switches off.
“I had never been on Vega One’s back, I’m just so pleased I was able to get a ride on him (Saturday). While he didn’t really attack the line, he never switched off at any point.
“Coming into the Stradbroke if we get that good draw, the most important part is he needs to be covered up. If you go back through his races, when he does have cover, the horse really attacks the line.
“For us to win the Stradbroke, that’s what I need to do, so he can show that good turn of foot.”
First acceptors for the Stradbroke are due on Wednesday, at which time the likely make up of the field will become clearer.
Highly fancied Stradbroke chances like Dawn Passage ($7) and Hightail ($14) are in line to run in Saturday’s Fred Best Classic, but may not need to if the field falls away and they are assured of a start the following week.