From hospital to track
Lining up an unbeaten Guineas prospect is always going to get the adrenaline flowing but Ellis Winsloe will be happy just to be at the races on Friday.
The Gore trainer will unleash 2000 Guineas hope Irish Express on his home track despite being fresh out of hospital following a riding accident that left the horseman with a heavy concussion.
Irish Express’ first run of the new season looks to be a tough assignment, especially considering Winsloe had to rely on outside help for the week he was in hospital recovering from the incident.
‘‘It’s been a bit of challenging time,’’ Winsloe said. His promising son of Ekraar makes his return in a rating 75 over 1335m at Gore. It will be his first start as a threeyear-old following a pair of twoyear-old victories at Riccarton late last season.
Stepping up to 1335m in the first start of his campaign, that is likely to climax at Riccarton come Cup week, is not ideal. Winsloe is a little concerned about the prospect of the trip but is hopeful the class of the talented galloper will see him hit the line strongly.
Winsloe gave some thought to starting Irish Express over 1200m in rating 90 company to get him going over the shorter distance but decided against it when he saw how strong the field was.
No trials or jumpouts have been available in the deep south.
‘‘He’s going in pretty cold,’’ Winsloe said. ‘‘Whatever he does I know he will improve on it.’’
Winslow has been unable to ride Irish Express in work since the accident but he is happy with what he has seen.
‘‘His works been really good and he’s nice and bright and full of beans.’’
Irish Express has strengthened up but not as much as Winsloe would have liked. Remarkably Winsloe said the giant has grown even taller and is close to 17 hands.
Winsloe admits he is not expecting Irish Express to remain unbeaten in what is a strong rating
75 race but he would not be surprised if he did either.
‘‘If he shows what I think he’s got it shouldn’t worry him but at the same time if he came home nicely in the first four or five I would be happy too.’’
Importantly, national jockeys’ premiership winner Chris Johnson – who has been aboard for the two wins last season – will be back on board.
Winsloe is yet to map out a plan to get him to Riccarton with the focus on getting the first run under his belt first but the 2000 Guineas remains the main target.
Bookmakers have Irish Express as a $31 chance in the 2000 Guineas market. Winsloe’s late father Ted Winsloe trained Tartan Tights to win the 1994 1000 Guineas.
Irish Express has scored both of his wins ploughing through heavy
11 tracks but Winsloe is expecting him to be an improved article over better ground.
The Gore surface was a dead 6 on Thursday and Winslow was hopeful showers forecast for Friday would not arrive.