Mitch Newman-trained Garbhan primed for Warwick Farm challenge
THE Mitch Newman-trained Garbhan will be looking for its second consecutive win when it lines up at Warwick Farm this Wednesday.
After three runs last prep, the best of which was a fourth at Newcastle, the Sona Thoroughbreds-owned gelding returned to the track after five and a half months on the sidelines with a dominant display over 1000 metres on January 25, sprinting from the back of the pack to score by two lengths.
Newman said he was thrilled with the three-year-old’s most recent performance, but says the bay has always shown plenty of ability.
“I was quite confident when he came this prep – I said I would win first up with him over 1000m somewhere because he was coming to hand really nice,” Newman told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He has always shown us ability, but he has never been that smart upstairs – he has always been a bit of a larrikin.
“In his early trials he was actually missing the start, so when we first went to the races I was expecting him to get back and not go based on what he showed in his trials, but then he did the opposite and came out running and overcooked himself a little bit.
“In the next couple of runs we just tried to teach him how to relax and focused on finishing off strongly, as I have always thought he is going to be a better horse when he gets out to a mile plus.
“That preparation really got taken up by trying to teach him the ropes of being a race horse, so it’s good to see him come back this preparation off just one trial and have learned what his job is.
“He was ridden right back last start and he relaxed beautifully and then hit the line outstanding.”
Owned by Sona Bloodstock, Garbhan will exit barrier 12 in race seven at Warwick Farm, this time over a more suitable 1400m.
The son of Casino Prince will carry 55.5kg – five and a half kilograms less than the top weight – and will be piloted by Corey Brown, who recently returned to Australia after riding overseas.
Despite lining up against an open 18-horse field, Newman says Garbhan has plenty of factors working in his favour.
“We had a pretty easy week after the race – we just put him out in the paddock and he got his head down and he pulled up quite good.
“We worked him on Saturday and he went very well so we’re really happy with him and where he is at heading into Wednesday.
“Generally, if you are inside at Warwick Farm over 1400m you are wanting to get off the track coming around the turn, so I am not worried about the wide barrier.
“There is also a bit of rain around, so the track might be favouring out wide later on in the day – there is 20mm of rain predicted today, so I would say we will be racing on a rain-affected track, but that shouldn’t be a concern as he is proven in those conditions.
“Having Corey in the saddle is another plus – I rode a lot with Corey, so we are quite good friends and he just came back from Singapore and landed a winner at his first meeting back – hopefully we can keep the ball rolling on Wednesday.”
All going well, Wednesday’s race may be a humble performance in comparison to the big plans which lie ahead for Garbhan, with Newman considering a tilt at the Queensland Derby.
“Our grand final plan is the Derby. We are hoping he runs the distance and I have always thought he would be the ideal horse – he gets into a beautiful rhythm in his track work and he has a lovely action and he is a beautiful breather.
“To my eye he is an out and out stayer, so if he can step up to that level the Derby remains in our sights, for sure.”
Race seven at Warwick Farm will jump at 5:30pm AEDT this Wednesday.
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