I’m Telling Ya set to let the racing do the talking on Thursday
AMY Johnston’s gelding I’m Telling Ya is looking to make a statement on Thursday night after an indifferent start to its racing career.
The Reward For Effort progeny broke through to win in just its second start, but subsequently failed to place again across a further four races.
The lightly raced three-year-old is returning for its second stint in the competitive racing scene, and after two impressive trials at both Cranbourne and Mornington, the horse looks set for a big campaign.
Johnston said she is positive her gelding is heading in the right direction and will return as a more mature galloper.
“I’m really happy with the horse,” Johnston told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He’s trialled up particularly well and he seems to have come back in really good order.
“I’m quite looking forward to seeing him step out.”
I’m Telling Ya is running in the Evergreen Turf Benchmark 64 at Pakenham on Thursday night where it is the $4.50 second favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The horse resumes after a seven month stint in the paddock, but a recent jump out at Mornington suggested it has learned a lot from its time away from the track.
After missing the kick slightly, the three-year-old unleashed a withering burst to make its rivals look second rate in what was the fastest trial time of the day for that distance.
I’m Telling Ya was super in his jump out this morning https://t.co/lgPXHWE1qt
— Amy Johnston (@ajbloodstock) May 17, 2017
Johnston said a Mornington jump out, as well as a second placed finish at a Cranbourne trial at the beginning of the month were both “very impressive”.
“We asked him to be pushed out and have a really nice blow out at Mornington and he recovered well, and his work has been good since.”
@ajbloodstock you’d be very pleased with I’m tellin ya’s trial ! ? flying ! Good luck ???
— Swanny from Croydon (@rds_82) May 9, 2017
Johnston said there were no concerns about the horse’s tardy beginnings, believing the gelding has enough natural speed to overcome sluggish starts.
“He’s got a bit of a thing for being slightly slow away,” the trainer revealed.
“He was quite fresh in the jump out and just sort of started looking around in the barriers, and just not concentrating really just being fresh.
“If you look to his replays he’s quite often slow away, but he’s just got that really good turn of foot which he showed to finish off.”
I’m Telling Ya showing Deryn from @StridesAhead1 just where he wants to be massaged! ?? pic.twitter.com/z9szavfkQ2
— Amy Johnston (@ajbloodstock) May 18, 2017
While the horse only has one win to its name after six starts, there is plenty of optimism from the team that I’m Telling Ya can prove itself to be a progressive type.
Whilst reluctant to divulge what lies ahead for the promising three-year-old, Johnston admitted she would be “disappointed” if I’m Telling Ya does not come away from Pakenham as a winner on Thursday night.
“I’ve got a couple of ideas but I’m going to play my cards pretty close to my chest.
“I’d like to see him go (to Pakenham) and win.
“Even though it’s a small field and it’s a benchmark 64 race there’s quite good form in the race, so it’s not a gimme race at all.
“But the way he has trialled up and everything like that I’d be pretty disappointed if he wasn’t (winning the race).”