BLAKE Ryan has returned home from the Magic Millions sale with a few additions to his team, and hopes to clinch a new year breakthrough at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The Hawkesbury trainer will saddle Santasia – his sole runner at the meeting – for the $60,000 Super Maiden Plate (1000m) as she lines up for only her second start.
Ryan has been heartened by the form from the three-year-old daughter of Santos’ debut at Gosford on December 31 when an excellent second to another debutante Dize in a Midway 3YO Maiden (1000m).
“I think that race might turn out to be a half decent Maiden,” Ryan said today.
“A number of trainers were chatting beforehand with one another at Gosford, and each thought their horse had a good chance.
“I know Damien Lane likes Dize, and the third placegetter Still Alice won at Wyong today at only her second start.”
A $32,000 Inglis Great Southern weanling purchase in 2021, Santasia is the sixth foal of the Exceed and Excel mare Omniscient (a Canterbury winner and eight-times placegetter), who died in November last year.
She trialled twice earlier last year without racing before joining Ryan’s team, and started favorite at Gosford on the back of trial victories at Hawkesbury and Warwick Farm in December.
Alysha Collett rode her in both trials and also at Gosford, and stays with her at Kembla Grange.
“Inexperience had a lot to do with her being beaten first-up,” Ryan said.
“I’m happy enough with her progress since, and no doubt the experience from that first start will benefit her more than anything else.”
Ryan raced Santasia in a tongue tie at Gosford, and keeps that on her, but has decided to add an extra piece of gear – though only until she gets to the barrier.
“Ear muffs pre-race go on her,” he said. “She is a hot filly, and always wears them at home in her gallops.
“Hopefully, they will keep her nice and settled prior to the jump on Saturday.”
Ryan has prepared 18 winners – two so far this season – since branching out on his own and starting his training career at Hawkesbury three years ago, making a winning debut with his first starter Divine Future at Orange on February 21, 2021.
He purchased three yearlings at the Gold Coast and is in the process of syndicating them, and has been given another couple to also train.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainers Mitch and Desiree Kearney and Kembla Grange trainer Mitch Beer have dual acceptors in Santasia’s race.
Team Kearney starts Zaboog (apprentice Anna Roper) and Platinum Asset (Mitchell Bell), and Beer has fillies Persister and Puzzler.
The interesting runner is Team Hawkes’ three-year-old Bonding, who will be ridden by Andrew Adkins.
The Snitzel filly has raced only once when sixth to Café Millenium in the Pierro Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on February 11 last year.
She has trialled twice recently – the latest when a close second over 900m at Rosehill Gardens on January 11 – to prepare for her resumption.
Leading Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Price, who head up both the local and All Trainers’ premierships this season, have five acceptors.
They are Hellinda and Madam Rupee (2&3YO Maiden Plate, 1200m), Our Gold Hope (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1200m), and Mr Rock It and Noble Attack (Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1400m).
Current premiership standings are:
ALL TRAINERS (points)
R & L Price 72
C Waller 56
P & P Snowden 42
J Cummings 41
LOCAL TRAINERS (wins)
R & L Price 14
B Smith 4
K Parker 3
M Beer 3
R McConville 2
J Ible 2
JOCKEYS (points)
K Latham 59
A Collett 52
Jean Van Overmeire 43
M Bell 43
G Buckley 42
APPRENTICES (points)
M Bourke 18
A Roper 15
Z Lloyd 13
O Chambers 12
The rail is out varying distances for tis meeting; 9m from the 1100m to the winning post, and 6m for the remainder of the circuit.
*Story John Curtis, January 18, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos*
Michael Craig’s selections are:
Race 1 - 7 Santasia well supported at only start
2 Anini impressive at both runs this time in
5 Persister runaway recent trial winner
Race 2 - 4 Master Riley ready to go on debut
1 Battlefield finished hard last start
9 Welcometobarbados first starter with claims
Race 3 - 5 It’s A Wonder will be hard to hold out
2 Winston Hills first up from a long break
3 Densetsu has trialled ok
Race 4 - 12 Emancipist extremely unlucky last start
2 Zaragoza looks very promising
5 Northumbria worth another chance
Race 5 - 6 Kadall continues to impress
4 Mr Rock It goes well this trip
9 Noble Attack winner here 3 starts back
Race 6 - 3 Apollo Mission racing in fine form
8 Brohm Lake comfortable win here last start
11 Sennaprost big improvement at Wyong
Race 7 - 3 Suit Of Armour hard to beat off Canterbury win
8 Tell The Future coming off a 5 week break
10 Margaret’s Missile looks suited over this distance
Comments