Johnston hopeful her smart gelding will fire at Sandown
AMY Johnston is hopeful her handy stayer Skyfire can continue his impressive recent form when he heads to Sandown this Wednesday to contest a handicap race over 2400 metres.
Skyfire boasts the modest record of three wins and five minor placings from 24 starts, however, two wins and two placings have come in his past four outings, including a terrific third at Canterbury last time out behind Colonel Custer on January 20.
The five-year-old gelding is set to be piloted this week by apprentice Brandon Stockdale, who will be able to claim three kilograms off his already light weight of 55.5kg.
Johnston says she is happy with her charge heading into the mile-and-a-half event and is expecting a solid performance.
“I couldn’t be happier with him,” Johnston told HorseBetting.com.au.
“The horse is sound and he is happy within himself – he looks fantastic and he is very healthy.
“His form recently has been very good since he has got up over a more suitable distance.
“He ran super up in Sydney last start over 1900m and he hit the line very strong so I think the extra distance this Wednesday should suit.”
Johnston credits much of Skyfire’s recent form turnaround to mixing up his training regime in order to keep his mind fresh and on the job.
“He really enjoys jumping, so that is part of his regular training and I try to change things up to keep his mind active – we take him to the beach and do a few different things with him just to keep him happy and mentally-stimulated.
“Jumping is a great part of the routine of training – it builds them up, strengthens them and it keeps their minds happy and just breaks their normal routine up a little bit.”
Johnston said the son of Testa Rossa should be suited by the light weight on his back, which will put him in good stead for the event.
“Over the distance of 2400 metres every extra kilo you can get off counts,” she explained.
“There are horses which are rated higher than him, but he will be carrying a significant amount of weight less than what they are.
“I think he should run a really competitive race and he has got a couple of things working in his favour.
“There is no reason to say why he can’t be right in the finish.”
Based at Mornington, Johnston will also be heading to Sandown with the consistent Casinoholic this Wednesday, with the bay mare in a purple patch of form which has seen her finish in the top three at six of her past nine starts.
Stockdale also takes the ride over 1600m, claiming 3kg which will mean the seven-year-old-mare will carry 58.5kg when she exits barrier eight.
“We have claimed with her as well so she gets in with three kilos off her 61.5 which puts her in really good order for the race.
“She has been in great form for a long time now – she never really runs a bad race.
“I am very pleased with her, she has had a little freshen up in between runs and she had a little trial at Mornington last week to tighten her up.
“She is feeling great – she is bucking and kicking around her yard, which is a good sign for her so I expect her to be competitive.”
A couple of victories on Wednesday would be a pleasing result for 30-year-old Johnston, who has made quite an impression since taking out her trainer’s license just over four years ago.
Born into the industry to trainers Fran Houlahan and Brian Johnston, Amy has worked her way up from the bottom at the start of her career and is currently ranked 36th for the season in the Victorian trainer’s premiership.
“I have managed to build the team up from one horse which I leased off my mum and dad and now I have a team of 15 in work.
“It’s has been hard work – there are a lot of early starts and late nights with long hours in between.
“It can be a very satisfying and a very frustrating industry – you are not working with robots – you are working with horses which have got a mind and body of their own.
“It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it and it really makes you enjoy every winner that we get.
“When you do get success you really do need to enjoy it because it takes a lot of effort from multiple angles.
“I have really great staff and excellent owners which support me really well and I feel we are getting stronger every year.”
A talented show jumping rider prior to taking out her trainer’s licence, Johnston was reserved in regards to her goals for 2017, but says she is dedicated to ensuring she gets the best results out of her team in work.
“I only ever compete with myself – I don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.
“Hopefully we can keep on doing what we are doing and just stay consistent – we are doing really well at the moment so the plan is to just keep my owners happy and my horses happy and healthy and hopefully the results will show on the track.”
Skyfire will contest race five (3:30pm) at Sandown Lakeside this Wednesday, whilst Casinoholic will jump in the sixth event (4:00pm).