Collateral does the damage at Canterbury
Collateral’s move to Sydney continues to pay dividends with the former Queensland gelding maintaining his perfect record on heavy tracks amid a deluge at Canterbury.
The five-year-old skipped over the heavy ground during the Ranvet Handicap (1900m) on Wednesday after Tim Clark bided his time as Another Snappy set a useful tempo.
Now trained by Bjorn Baker, Collateral ($3.80) scored by a length from Estikhraaj to justify his pre-race favouritism.
“Bjorn’s got him going really well this preparation,” said stable representative Jack Bruce.
Collateral last encountered a heavy track in winning at Ipswich a year ago and was similarly untroubled at Canterbury to go back-to-back this preparation after winning at Gosford.
“We weren’t scared to run on a heavy track, but we did get all favours. There was a strong tempo up front, he got back and it was a great ride by Tim Clark, he was as patient as ever,” Bruce said.
“He’s a very relaxed horse, that helps him a lot in his races because he switches off and when he really, really gets out he attacks the line hard.”
Bruce said Baker, who took over training Collateral from Darlene Duryea in February, will continue to place him in midweek races over winter and might step up to off-season Saturday grade.
“He’ll pick up a lot of prize money. He’s consistent,” Bruce said.