I was on Our Torias Secret tonight. She was incredible overs. When Lilac Stride moved up I had a horrible feeling that she was going to be gifted the lead. Thankfully Hancock held up and it was times and margins after that.
It's not often you see perfection but you have to look no further than Race 3 at Menangle tonight to appreciate it. Luke fires up Garnet River out of the 6 gate to lead into the first corner and when his biggest dangers begin to emerge down the back he is already aware they are coming and puts enough pressure into the van to ensure he is not headed. From there he lets the travel within its comfort zone before holding all at bay. Heres a couple of facts. His horses are always brilliant off the gate and on the whole well mannered enough to be put in a forward position.
And this is not rocket science...he wins his races in the first or second quarters, not the last half. He makes his own luck by driving positively. Good luck to him.
Nice win by Almost El Eagle in the colts final. Dominant.
I was on Our Torias Secret tonight. She was incredible overs. When Lilac Stride moved up I had a horrible feeling that she was going to be gifted the lead. Thankfully Hancock held up and it was times and margins after that.
Exactly. In the fourth he is on a 1/3 favourite and once again is gifted the lead with sensible driving, before going on to record a 32.9 1st qtr thru to a 27 something final qtr to just scramble home. The horse wins because Luke gave it every possible, while his rivals accepted what Luke was doing by not putting any pressure on him earlier. It seems like they are driving with a small track mentality while Luke shows them time and again that we are at Menangle now kids.
Couldn't agree more with the both of you and yes, the odds were delicious!
Another great weekend for the McCarthy team overall. Disappointing about Mr Feelgood's performance on face value but then I see they reported he carried a flat tire, plus it apparently was off the rim for the last two (2) laps. Was never a hope if that be the case.
Lettucereason was a huge performance at Goulburn. What the hell was Frank O'Sullivan thinking with his drive in the same race though, idiot!
How MANY times does he do it........dear oh dear!
I have breed and broken in my own on occasion. and mine have not always been the fastest .. but I tell you, they can win for others purely on manners at times. Dont underestimate a well trained animal, that is fully fit. A horse that will move in that split second will save a second.
One that will relax, one that will go forward, one that will keep trying. all these things will make a difference.
I remember reading an article many years ago, about 2 x T/Breds Tullock and his full brother (cant remember name) they say they had the same speed, but if you had them at a tea party, tullock, would come in serve the cakes and pour the tea - the brother would storm in knock it all over and stand there wondering what happened ..
It takes a lot to be a good trainer, and it helps to have horses, that want to help you.
you dont often hear of a person saying that there champion horse wont go forward, wont load in the float, you cant drive it, and its as mad as a cut snake..
That's 'Tulloch', not 'Tullock'.
Only the best TJ Smith said he ever put a bridle on.
Also, I don't know what article you read, but if you ever read TJ's book 'The Midas Man' they say Tulloch hated everyone, bar TJ who stood up to him and 'broke' him to his way of thinking and training. TJ wasn't adverse lock and old stockman to produce a stockwhip if he had too, to pull a horse into line.
Crap - Sorry Nathan, you are totally correct. I was thinking Todman and Noholme Dont worry about me! (I will have to read Midas man -- I was not aware TJ was that hands on when younger, would be a good read) - So scrap that part of my post.
BUT I still stand by the well trained horse, is easier to handle, and make turning it in to a winner that much easier..