Mixed emotions for Jenny Graham following Randwick success
PLENTY was expected of the Jenny Graham stables at Randwick on Saturday and they delivered with Victorem in the Highway Handicap, but not everything went according to plan.
The odds-on favourite with bookmakers was heavily backed throughout the week and it didn’t look good halfway down the straight, but the son of I Am Invincible got the head down on the line to win the Class 3 Handicap.
Graham was pleased with the result, but will be forced to run Victorem in a barrier trial after it bucked as the gates opened.
“It was a tough win, but he had troubles coming out of the gate and then he found trouble before the turn,” Graham told Horsebetting.com.au. “Because he bucked I will need to re-trial, so I’ll need to fit that in somewhere during this preparation.”
Victorem will likely stay down in grades as it continues to mature, but there’s surely more to come after picking up his third win from four starts.
“I was very happy with the end result. He left it to the last minute, but he did get there which was great,” Graham said.
“I’m not 100 percent sure where he’ll run after this, but I will be aiming him for the Highway races.
“I was very nervous coming here and even more nervous during the race.
“The owners knocked back a lot of money for him because they want to have fun and race him.”
Cant believe the potting of owners of Victorem for knocking back huge offer. Are these not the owners Aus racing wants and needs? Keeping our best horses on the track here, for the love of it? We rue our good ones being sold o’seas or retired to stud, then bag them for racing on?
— Adrian Gray (@_AdrianGray) December 14, 2017
Jockey Ben Looker did have his troubles during the run, but he believes it could be much better than what he showed today.
He jumped good and then after 100 metres and just as we were straightening up on the course proper he decided to chuck a little crow hop to make sure I was concentrating,” Looker said.
“He’s done a really good job to pick himself up from there and I was lucky enough there was a little bit of scrimmage that I was able to avoid and sneak straight through there,” Looker said.
“He’s got plenty of ability and he’s probably a five or six-length better horse than what he was today.
“To his credit his ability shone through.
“I’m really lucky Jenny and the owners stuck with me.
“I’ve had a lot to do with him and I do know him inside out. The more racing he has the better he will get.”
The day didn’t start as planned for Graham and likewise punters, which did their dough on $2.10 favourite Awesome Pluck in the ANZ Bloodstock News Handicap.
Punters were confident following a 5.5-length win on debut before running a close third behind Manicure at Warwick Farm, but facing a quality field fresh up might have undone the talented type.
“He’s good (following the run), he’s just got a lot to learn,” Graham admitted. “I spoke to Tye (Angland) about him and he said he’s got to have a little more racing to know what it’s about.
“He’s very raw and has a lot to learn, but we’re still happy with how the horse went.”
Drawing the outside barrier in the field of seven didn’t help its chances, but punters should stick with the gelding against easier opposition later this campaign.
“His barrier was awkward so I had to make the decision to go forward. I don’t think he’s tough enough to lead up a field yet, but we’re still happy with the result,” said Graham, who felt the pain of the punters.
“I know he was favourite, but I was happy with how he performed against some seasoned types.”