top of page
Search

RYAN FRONTS UP AT GOULBURN – AND WINS

Provincial Racing NSW



AS his fellow Hawkesbury trainers missed out on getting starts at home, Blake Ryan made the trip to Goulburn on Thursday – and came up trumps.

Ryan clinched his fourth win of the season when Up The Front stepped out of maiden class and made it two in a row this campaign.

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, Up The Front ($4.40) looked to be in real trouble when unable to secure clear running in the straight in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m).

But once he did he burst through and quickly put paid to his rivals, defeating Scoffa ($21) and Mountain Chatter ($4.60).

“I was confident he would handle a soft track, but wasn’t sure about a Heavy 8,” Ryan said en route home.

“Jean said he loved the ground, and got a good feel on the way to the barrier that he would relish it.”




Ryan purchased two yearlings at the Magic Millions National sale in June last year – and they have provided his excellent start to the new season.

Up The Front scored first-up at Hawkesbury on September 7 in a Provincial Maiden Plate (1000m), whilst Asuriito has raced only twice and is unbeaten, having been successful at Moruya both on August 30 and September 17.

“They were the only two yearlings I bought at that National sale last year, and both have already paid their way,” Ryan said.

“Up The Front (a Rubick colt) cost $45,000 and has earned nearly $49,000, whilst Asuriito (a Brazen Beau gelding) was $25,000 and has won almost $28,000.

“I’m glad I took Up To The Front to Goulburn as I now know he can handle both good and heavy ground.

“It’s nice to have that up your sleeve from a future viewpoint.”

Up The Front was the 33rd career winner for Ryan, who has done a superb job placing both young horses.

“I’d rather take them wherever they can be competitive instead of running in town and not earning anything,” he said.

With that in mind, he has another race sorted for Asuritto, who will go to Canberra on October 11 chasing a hat-trick.

As for Up The Front, Ryan needs to closely study the programs to also give him the chance to do the same.

“The RacingNSW handicapping panel raised him five benchmark points to 67 straight after the Goulburn race, so we’ll have a close look and see what we can find,” he said.

The Hawkesbury trainer is not surprised Up The Front has opened his three-year-old season in such grand form.

“I knew he could gallop as a two-year-old and intended taking him to the Wellington Boot,” he explained.




“But he was shin sore after finishing fourth at Newcastle in early April, which was to be his lead-up to the Boot.

“It has turned out to be a blessing as we gave him a good break, and he is now repaying us.”

Up The Front’s victory was the 18th so far this month for the Hawkesbury training base.

. The eight-race Hawkesbury meeting on Thursday was called off before a race was run when rain continued to fall and there was surface water on the track near the winning post.

RacingNSW has added a new seven-race meeting to the program at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Story John Curtis, Septembe 26, 2024

7 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


© 2024 Provincial Racing NSW 
Powered by GoDaddy.com

bottom of page