Local trainer Steve O’Halloran keen to make his mark at tomorrow’s Hawkesbury meeting by clinching a breakthrough success at home. But O’Halloran is keeping a close watch on the weather as he doesn’t want it too wet for his representative Superargo in the XXXX Gold Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m).
“It was pretty wet when I ran him after a break at Muswellbrook in late April, and he wasn’t comfortable at all,” he said this morning. That was the Super One four-year-old’s only blemish in six career starts, having been placed in the other five; four of them consecutively since the Muswellbrook failure. “Reggie Blundell is a good Hunter Valley horsewoman, and asked me to train Superargo,” O’Halloran said. “I’d love to win a race for her and fellow owners, and Superargo can definitely run well provided the rain doesn’t arrive.” O’Halloran nominated another of his consistent performers Martini Crusader, runner-up at his last three starts after breaking through at Newcastle on August 6, for Sunday’s Bathurst Cup (1800m) at the Showcase meeting. With 32 entries however, he doubts the gelding’s 64 benchmark rating will get him a start, and instead may give him a city opportunity in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill next Wednesday. . The rail is out varying distances; 2m from the 1100m to 600m, 4m from 600m to 400m, 2m from 400m to winning post, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit. Course manager Rick Johnston has posted a “Soft 5” rating this morning, and understandably is hoping rain forecast for later today and tomorrow gives Hawkesbury a miss. *Words by John Curtis for hawkesburyraceclub.com.au
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