ROSS McConville says South Of India is a placid horse, but likes to be a control freak when he goes to the races.
The Kembla Grange trainer made it six wins from only 11 starts with homebred South Of India ($6.50) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.
Flying along under Wyong apprentice Anna Roper, the four-year-old was never going to be beaten on the soft track.
South Of India strung five wins together last year, culminating with a debut city victory, also on soft ground, at Royal Randwick last July.
“We’ve worked out how best to ride him,” McConville said today.
“He is a very placid horse at home and in his trackwork, but likes to be out in front on his own in races, and doesn’t like being around other horses.
“You have to ride him hard for the first 600m, and make it difficult for his rivals to chase him.
“It worked out perfectly yesterday.”
South Of India had nearly one and a half lengths to spare at the end from Eye Of The Fire ($5) and $2.50 favorite Spring Lee.
South Of India, a gelded son of Churchill, is achieving something his dam, the Snitzel mare Minnesota, couldn’t do.
Whereas she won four races for her late trainer Gwenda Markwell, none were in town, although she was placed on four occasions at Randwick.
McConville also has South Of India’s three-year-old half-brother Donwon (by Magna Grecia), who has been placed at three of his six starts and is currently spelling, and so far unraced two-year-old half-sister Harlow (by Hallowed Crown).
Whilst South Of India is back in winning form, his trainer is unsure about his next run.
“There’s really nothing for him in Sydney in the next month,” McConville said.
“We might have a look at the Melbourne programs to see if there is something suitable for him there.”
Meanwhile, Roper continued her good form by winning another race at Port Macquarie today, on $6 chance Show ‘Em Howl in the Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).
It was Roper’s 147th career winner and 10th so far this month after landing a maiden four-timer at Port Macquarie on December 29.
. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup returned home with 10 yearlings from the recent Magic Millions sales, and sent two three-year-old fillies bush today; one of the pair adding to his season’s tally.
It was Widdup’s most successful MM sales, with great supporter, Sydney businessman and Jedibeel’s owner Mike Gregg, purchasing seven of them.
“Mike came along at exactly the right time a few years back, and I’m very appreciative of his ongoing support,” Widdup said.
After Initiate ($3.90) ran second in the Maiden Plate (950m), stablemate Calyx Rose ($3.10) two races later downed $2.70 favorite Tomcat Flowers in the Super Maiden Plate (1375m).
It was a good move to head to Cowra as Calyx Rose, a $4500 yearling purchase, snared a $22,000 purse by landing the $50,000 Super Maiden.
“I was running out of options for her following two provincial starts in December,” Widdup said.
Widdup’s apprentice Zac Wadick rode both fillies, and gave Calyx Rose a perfect run, coming out from behind favorite Tomcat Flowers on straightening to get the upper hand in the closing stages.
Calyx Rose was Widdup’s 34th winner in the first half of the season, and a career 391 as he bears down on a milestone 400 victories.
Story John Curtis, January 19, 2025 - Pic Bradley Photos
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