Durrant hoping for Real Love affair with Kingston Town Classic
TRAINER Adam Durrant is expecting big things from Real Love ahead of the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot this Saturday.
Real Love was no match for Good Project in the Group 1 Railway Stakes last month, but Durrant told media it was disadvantaged by the track conditions.
“It was one of those days, it was pretty difficult to make up ground. It was disappointing to see the way the track played out, a few of the goat races early in the day were running Group 1 times,” Durrant said.
“The track was obviously not fair for the whole team, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes. Looking at Saturday, hopefully they can get it right and it gives everyone a chance.”
Real Love won the Perth Cup last season but failed in two Melbourne starts in the Autumn. After two runs this campaign, Durrant is confident the rise up in distance will suit his runner.
“She’s a horse that is going to keep improving as she gets up over distance and she attacked the line really well in the Railway,” Durrant said.
“She’s come through the run really well which is the most important thing.”
Chris Parnham will replace Damien Oliver who rode it in the Railway Stakes, but chose to ride the internationally-trained Magic Artist on Saturday.
“Hopefully she can finish off well, if she can’t win then be hitting the line well for the Cox Stakes and possibly another crack at the Perth Cup in one month’s time,” Durrant said.
“At some stage I think her future is going to see her over east with someone and finish her career over there.
“She’s definitely going as well as she was 12 months ago. If you look at the other day there was only a handful of horses able to make ground and she was one of them.”
Real Love is currently an $8 chance at Sportsbet.com.au which puts it on the fifth line of betting behind Magic Artist ($3.80) which has firmed strongly into favouritism following the barrier draw, Perfect Reflection ($4.25), Delicacy ($5.50) and Black Heart Bart at $7.50.
2015 Kingston Town Classic barrier draw and updated market
1. Extra Zero (15) – $21
2. Black Heart Bart (3) – $7.50
3. Tower Of Lonhro (4) – $67
4. Magic Artist (1) – $3.80
5. Bass Strait (8) – $101
6. Woodsville (11) – $301
7. Hazzabeel (5) – $19
8. Dark Musket (13) – $201
9. Balmont Girl (2) – $21
10. Real Love (7) – $8
11. Delicacy (16) – $5.50
12. Neverland (10) – $13
13. Man Booker (9) – $17
14. London Line (6) – $26
15. Blackwood (14) – $26
16. Perfect Reflection (12) – $4.25