As the owner of Watermans Bay, John Molloy, said after the running of the Pink Hygiene-Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) this was one of the gelding’s “most exciting wins.”
“He dropped his head in the barrier but then got an inside run despite drawing barrier 10” the owner said.
The Eternity Range 4YO chalked up his seventh win from 17 starts aided by a superb ride from Troy Turner.
Co-trainer Matt Giadresco described it as a “gun ride”. It was.
Around the turn Turner had his charge snookered on the fence mid field and while he had plenty of horse left it was a case of could he get out?
But the way the senior jockey is currently riding he could win on a rocking horse with square wheels! When he charged Watermans Bay out of the pack to challenge Peggie’s Dream and Bombora their time was up within a few strides.
Sir Hallowell ran on well to take second with Kerrific third.
Giadresco described his galloper as “an exciting horse who gets back in his races but runs on.” That of course can be a problem in a large field when forced to come around the field.
On trial for a start in the Bunbury Stakes, on March 10, the gelding showed why he will start favourite for that $100,000 race.
“We will take it step by step after that” his young trainer said.
Matt Giadresco, he has emulated his father’s performance by winning this race.
Peter Giadresco won the Cyril Flower in 2004 with Devil’s Dance before sharing this triumph with his son.
Right Time lived up to his name in his comeback from a spell after racing unsuccessfully in three ‘trips’ last October and November.
His form prior to that campaign had been sparkling. Between May and July 2012 the gelding won four of six races, including a hat-trick.
Trainer Paul Jordan said the only blessing in his last campaign was that he had come down in the ratings a little.
Ridden by Ryan Hill the Snippetson 4yo showed plenty of fight, refusing to yield to Noname City when seemingly about to be passed.
Jordan also showed plenty of fight, during the week, at the Magic Million sales, buying eight babies, including a pair of ‘Gray’s greys,’ by Oratorio.
Jockey Paul Harvey landed a double with Operational and Express Service (where he replaced the suspended Jarrad Noske).
Express Service backed up from the previous week (where he won the Magic Millions 3yo Trophy) and was an impressive winner of the Challenge Stakes (1500m), outpointing Antique Belle in the process.
Trainer Darren McAuliffe has his eyes on the WA Derby (2400m) with the Danehill Express youngster.
Trainer Jim Taylor had a wretched day in two States with Barakey and Magnifisio.
Boom sprinter Barakey tried to emulate those POW’s in the Great Escape, treating his barrier as a Stalag from which to burrow out of before the Oakleigh Plate (Vic).
He was scratched.
Back home, Magnifisio went from an eagle to a turkey, running last behind Dream Lifter. (At her previous start the filly had downed the unbeaten Grey Cheval).
Ditto for another last start winner Rouge Dior who finished a lack lustre sixth in Right Time’s race.
It was all too much for race caller Darren McAullay.
Mac the Knife (of marzipan cake fame) ended up, in his usual colourful fashion, referring to these form reversals as gallopers with “square wheels,“ resembling “centipedes with gout.”