Canterbury hopes for This Is Australia
Fresh from sending Spill The Beans to stud as a Group Two winner, trainer Gerald Ryan will turn his attention to horse whose racing manners ended his stallion aspirations.
This Is Australia, a half brother to Group One winner All American, begins his latest campaign at Canterbury on Monday.
His owner John Singleton had hoped he would develop into a stud prospect but bit the bullet and had the four-year-old gelded last spring.
The operation did the trick with This Is Australia winning the first two of his four starts late last year.
“He seems to go better early in his preparation and won a barrier trial well so I’m happy going to Canterbury,” Ryan said.
Spill The Beans, who will stand at Aquis Farm, won Saturday’s QTC Cup to bring up a milestone for his trainer who has racked up 100 wins with the progeny of Snitzel who he trained to win the 2006 Oakleigh Plate.
The colt had to cross from a wide barrier in the QTC Cup at Eagle Farm, the same situation facing This Is Australia in the 1100m-benchmark 67 at Canterbury.
“I actually think This Is Australia is better drawn out,” Ryan said.
“It could help him rather than hinder him because he won’t be in the gates too long so it could work in his favour.”
Ryan will also saddle up Love’s A Fantasy at the Canterbury public holiday meeting with the mare to run over 1250 metres.
Although she has just one win from eight starts, the four-year-old has been placed four times and earlier this year ran third in a race won by Believe who went on to run third in the Group One Australian Oaks.
“Love’s A Fantasy is a good, honest mare who give her best,” Ryan said.
“This race should suit.”
Both Ryan-trained runners will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.