Brilliant ride pivotal to success
Ask John Sargent what he thought of his luck at Rosehill on Saturday and he says: “Very different, very”.
The former Matamata trainer was scratching his head after consecutive races, one he thought he could win and didn’t and one he had no idea of and did win.
There was a touch of stable confidence Mr One Eleven (R2) could run well fresh from a three-month break from racing. He was beaten a nose and should have won by panels.
Danny Beasley couldn’t find a home-straight run for Mr One Eleven, at $14. The pair finally worked into the clear and fair flew to be beaten by not even half a stride by Tommy Berry and Dylan’s Rojo, trained by Kim Waugh, wife of former Australian test cricketer Mark Waugh.
Sargent barely had time to regret his luck as he saddled up Centre Pivot for the next and this time the coat tuggers were told by Sargent: “I’ve got no clue as to how he will run”.
The New Zealander has had Centre Pivot in his stable only a matter of weeks, the horse having been one of those prepared by Sam Kavanagh, who admitted to stewards he had administered cobalt and caffeine to the horse during the inquiry that had him disqualified.
There was a big betting plunge on Centre Pivot in his first start for Sargent, but seventh of the nine runners, beaten 6.3 lengths, was the best he could do.
On Saturday it was a different story, Centre Pivot finishing strongly to win at $10.40, which earned the New Zealander a tap on the shoulder from well respected chief steward Ray Murrihy with a “please explain” the improved performance.
In the inquiry room, Sargent told stewards he put much of it down to an inspired ride by Blake Shinn.
“Blake said there was no pace in the race and that he would take Centre Pivot forward and try to outsprint them late. That’s why he’s one of the best — he’s a very good thinker and a great judge.”
Sargent yesterday said he had an open mind how Centre Pivot will progress given it’s well documented the horse has been given cobalt.
“He was initially cleared and he’s eaten well since he’s been with me. He seems okay, but all the reports are that horses being given cobalt eventually find it disastrous for them.” Cobalt is a heavy metal and is toxic as it accumulates.
Blake Shinn has a good opinion of Centre Pivot, who is likely to be taken to the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“He’s a very good horse and he’ll improve as he steps up in distance.”
Mr One Eleven also looks a horse to follow. Three 1200m trial heats featuring half a dozen group one winners will provide a tasty entree at Taupo before racing begins there tomorrow.
Among them will be Mongolian Khan, Makfi Challenge Stakes favourite Turn Me Loose and the Caulfield Guineas hopeful Dal Cielo.
Melbourne Cup contender Mongolian Khan has exceeded the expectations of trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman with his effort for fourth in a Te Teko trial earlier this month.
Forsman said the 4-year-old was on target to resume in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 12 to set up a possible clash with the Rosehill Guineas winner Volkstok’n’barrell.
Turn Me Loose won his 1000m trial at Te Teko to head the Makfi market at $4, while last season’s Diamond Stakes winner Dal Cielo ran third and is set to make his spring reappearance in Melbourne.
“He won’t race here and will go straight to Australia to get him ready for the Caulfield Guineas,” Forsman said.
Railway Stakes winner In Style will also be in action at Taupo to trim her up for a return to racing during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.
Vespa and Puccini complete the Taupo line-up of group one winners with both horses also heading for a showdown in the Makfi at Hastings on August 29.