Trainer Optimistic about Simply’s future
Brendon Hawtin is looking on the bright side with Simply Optimistic.
He doesn’t know how long he will have the promising three-year-old in his Cambridge stable, but will make the most of his association with the good-looking son of Encosta de Lago.
“I don’t know when the owner will decide to take him to Hong Kong, but I’ll treat him like he’s here for a long time,” Hawtin said.
Raced by Herbert Cheung, the $230,000 Ready to Run Sale graduate broke his maiden last time out when he resumed from a break at Pukekohe Park.
“It was good to get the monkey off the back and I’ve got no doubt he will go on with it,” Hawtin said.
“We thought about the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes, but he’s not a 1200m horse. He’s out of a Zabeel mare and I think his pet distance is going to be 1600m.
“The owner asked me to buy the best horse at the Ready to Run and he didn’t blink at the price – I’m sure he’s going to be rewarded, whether it be here or in Hong Kong.”
Simply Optimistic returned a cheque in all of his outings during the spring with creditable showings in strong company against the likes of Xbox, Felton Road and The Great Southern.
“If you had asked me if he would have been a five-start maiden I would have said no, but the owner was out from Hong Kong for his first couple of starts and there weren’t any other suitable races,” Hawtin said. “It wasn’t ideal kicking off in some decent three-year-old races, but he didn’t embarrass himself.
“From day one he showed so much and he’s come back really well. We’ve taken the blinkers off now and we’ve probably learned more about him in the last three weeks than the last six months.”