Ellawisdom retains zest for racing
An unlucky last-start fourth has trainer Trevor Thomas convinced veteran mare Ellawisdom is not yet ready for the breeding barn.
Ellawisdom is stepping up to her favourite distance of 1400 metres in the Veuve Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The seven-year-old mare has been a stable favourite for Thomas having won nine races up to open company.
It is extremely rare for mares of her age to race in Brisbane open company but Thomas has plenty of faith in Ellawisdom.
At her last start Ellawisdom was fourth behind another veteran, Rocky King, at Eagle Farm but the race was run at a slow pace meaning the mare, who races back in the field, had no chance of running down the leaders.
“The tempo last time was no help at all to us. To say they walked early is an understatement. They ran something like 40 seconds for the first 600 metres,” Thomas said.
“I thought she was very brave the way she tried in the straight and she only got beaten less than two lengths. There looks to be a lot more pace on Saturday which will help her.”
Thomas said Ellawisdom showed no signs of wanting to finish racing.
“She looks well in herself and provided she stays that way she will race on for a while yet,” he said.
“Ellawisdom has won fives time at 1400 metres and been placed another six times at the distance. She handles soft tracks so if the predicted rain comes it should be no problem.”
Jockey Nathan Thomas (no relation) will retain the ride on Ellawisdom and has formed a strong partnership with the trainer in recent months.
When Trevor Thomas was injured in a trackwork accident, the jockey stepped in and rode work for the trainer who likes to reward him with the bulk of the stable’s rides.
“Nathan is an experienced jockey who deserves more chances in town. He always does the right thing by trainers and owners,” Thomas said.