27.08.2008, WALLER-BOWMAN DUO COMPLETE A DOUBLE AT CANTERBURY

The formidable Chris Waller-Hugh Bowman combination completed a running double at Canterbury today, with Able Too breaking through first-up for his new trainer and English import Hartmann finding his second local win.

Able Too shook off his maiden status in the Dexta Underwriting Handicap (1250m) after being previously placed in only one of five starts.

Another Chris Waller-trained runner in Camouflaged held on for fourth after looking a winning chance around the turn, charging home with Peter Snowden-trained Penhaligon, but the duo were overhauled by Able Too in the closing stages with Detroit Song flashing home for second.

The four-year-old’s recent trial performances behind handy provincial stayer Deltona and Mentality gave strong indications of what the gelding might have in store.

“He’s needed time,” Waller said.

“He’s matured and there’s still a lot of improvement in him yet.

“It was a good ride by Hugh, he got out at the right time and just went straight past them.”

In the following event, the GAU Handicap (1550m) Bowman completed the double for Waller, booting home the imported Hartmann after his last start second behind the blazing Rock Star at Gosford’s metropolitan meeting on August 20.

Able Too 56.5kg ($5.50) (H. Bowman) defeated Detroit Song 58kg ($16) (L. Cassidy) by a length with Penhaligon 56.5kg ($2.10) (C. Brown) a neck away in third.

The sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.14.80 secs and they ran home the final 600 metres in 37.23 secs.

Winner’s Breeding: Dehere (USA) – Keltshaan (USA) (Pleasant Colony (USA))

What they said: “He traveled well today. He had the benefit of the run and he’s an improving horse,” Hugh Bowman said of winner Able Too.

“He probably should have won. He’s a lovely horse, probably better suited to a bigger track,” reported Detroit Song’s jockey Larry Cassidy.

“Nice horse. She was a bit one-paced today and I suggested she go up in distance, her first run seemed like it just flattened her a bit,” Corey Brown commented about Penhaligon.

“She probably wants further, blinkers would help,” Camouflaged’s jockey Glen Boss said [4th].

“He ran good – he’ll be looking for a mile,” Danny Nikolic said of Show Me.

The money trail: Able Too was well backed, firming from $7 to $5.50 while Lindys Cross was specked from $51 in to $31.

18.08.2008, TRIPLE HONOUR BACK BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour has proven he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Sydney weight-for-age ranks following a dominant victory in the $150,000 G2 Smithfield RSL Club Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill today.

“He’s explosive when he goes,” winning jockey Glen Boss said.

“He’s a dead set weight-for-age horse, he’s got the turn of foot and he relaxes.”

Triple Honour’s trainer Chris Waller is keeping his cards close to his chest when talking about what the future holds for the new boy of the weight-for-age racing ranks.

“I’d like to think the Epsom but every race we win makes it harder with the handicapper but I’m not too worried as there are plenty of nice races,” said Waller.

“The Cox Plate is still in the back of our minds but to have a crack at a race like that you’d probably have to miss the Epsom and have a run down there the Melbourne way of going.

“I’ll sleep well tonight and worry about it tomorrow.”

Beginning on terms with the field, Glen Boss kept the pressure on early aboard Triple Honour forcing Darren Beadman on Mentality to work to cross and once he did Boss asked Triple Honour to settle and in Boss’s words he “spat out the bridle” and travelled sweetly with only Reigning To Win behind him.

Triple Honour makes a winning return in the Premiere Stakes – photo by Steve Hart

The field started to bunch nearing the home turn and Mentality was the first beaten while Boss was looking around to see where Reigning To Win was before asking Triple Honour to go and the four-year-old sprinted quickly laying in on top of Hurried Choice and Captain Bax but he ripped past them for a conclusive victory over the gallant Captain Bax and Reigning To Win.

“So far so good, a great run today,” Waller said.

“He travelled up very easily and he still did a few things wrong so there is still improvement there and I’ll tinker with his gear and we’ll get him cherry ripe later in the campaign.

“He’s still a green horse but I couldn’t be happier.”

Triple Honour 58.5kg ($3) (G.Boss) defeated Captain Bax 58.5kg ($8) (T.Clark) by three quarters of a lengths with Reigning To Win 58.5kg ($4.40) (H.Bowman) a short neck back in third.

The sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.10.13 secs and they ran home the final 600 metres in 34. 34 secs.

Winner’s Breeding: Honours List (IRE) – Myrrh (NZ) (Nassipour (USA))

What they said: “I judged him probably a 1400m horse after he won the Doncaster but he’s come back and grown a hand in stature and his stride is that much longer. After that run I’ve changed my mind a bit,” said Glen Boss about Triple Honour.

“A terrific effort. It took a Doncaster winner to beat him. He just keeps stepping up everytime I ask him,” said Captain Bax’s trainer Kris Lees.

“When I was at the 300 metres I though I had him covered but my bloke didn’t run on the way I know he can. He likes the sting out of the track and I think it is harder than a dead (4),” Hugh Bowman commented about Reigning To Win.
“It was a good effort in that grade but she’s just not up to those but against the fillies and mares there is a good race in her,” said Hurried Choice’s jockey Jeff Lloyd [4th].
“To me he looked a bit soft before the run and I was happy enough with his effort. He’s a bit older now and they were probably a bit too sharp for him but he boxed on ok. The positive was how he relaxed. He might get over a bit more of a trip now ,” said Darren Beadman about Mentality [5th].

The favourite: Triple Honour delivered the knockout punch when he quickened to well for his rivals in an impressive return.

The money trail: The punters rallied behind Mentality backing him in from $5 to $4, while Triple Honour was solid in betting firming late from $3.10 to $3. The on-course market closed at 113 percent.

Horse to follow: Triple Honour was outstanding and the one to follow from this race.