WEIGHT’S right is a common racing theme – but not for Strait Acer to contest Saturday’s $1m The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle.
The talented four-year-old’s Hawkesbury trainer Edward Cummings has opted to instead head south to Melbourne for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, which is worth the same money and carries Group 1 status.
He has booked Cups winning jockey Mark Zahra for the mount.
Strait Acer was given 57kg for The Hunter, but 55kg at Caulfield where his benchmark rating is less than in New South Wales.
“Why wouldn’t you consider running in a Group 1 in Melbourne when he has less weight,” Cummings said.
“Also, the 1400m suits him a bit better than the 1300m.”
Strait Acer’s NSW benchmark rating has skyrocketed since winning a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick in early September.
His rating is now 106 (104 in Victoria) from 78 after winning a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on September 16, and then finishing second in the $1m Silver Eagle (1300m) there on October 14 and fourth in the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 4.
It seems incongruous that Strait Acer’s Hunter weight is only 2kg less than topweight and early favorite Mazu, who is a Group 1 and 2 winner.
Mazu’s career earnings stand at just over $5m ($7.76m including a rich bonus), whereas Strait Acer has earned just under $950,000.
Strait Acer’s stablemate Duais has been sent for a spell after a fruitful though winless Melbourne campaign, and thus won’t head to Hong Kong for the International meeting at Sha Tin on December 10.
. Fellow Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby is having a beaut season – and puts it down to his move to Hawkesbury earlier this year.
Ponsonby won his seventh race since August 1 – and in terms of winners is second only to leading trainer Brad Widdup (16) – when former New Zealander James Barrie ($12) scored at Queanbeyan yesterday.
Ridden by Shaun Guymer, the seven-year-old outstayed his rivals in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) under 61.5kg topweight.
“The opportunity to relocate from the country six months ago to set up a provincial training base at Hawkesbury has been so important,” Ponsonby said en route home.
“The facilities are excellent, and the horses are happy.”
All of Ponsonby’s winners this season have been at different tracks.
Walk Up Start scored at Gundagai on August 8, Socrates at Gosford on August 24 and Kembla Grange on November 7, Sandastan at Corowa on September 19, Grenoble at Bathurst on October 27, and Semper Fortis at Wagga on November 3 preceded James Barrie today.
“James Barrie won at Avondale and Ellerslie early in his career, and ran sixth in the Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie as a three-year-old in 2020,” Ponsonby said.
“But he lost his way as a four and five-year-old, and I bought him online through Gavel House for not too much in winter last year.
“Winona Costin rode him well and won first-up for us at Kembla Grange over 1400m in August last year, but it was totally unexpected.
“I realise now heavy tracks are not his go, but I ran him three times to find out.
“Shaun (Guymer) is a strong rider and I was pleased to have him on James Barrie today.
“He stood over him a couple of times in the run, and hopefully that win will bring his confidence back.”
Despite conceding runner-up Urjuwaan ($4.40) a tidy 7.5kg, James Barrie defeated her comfortably. Another Hawkesbury representative, Wendy Haynes’ Threw ($3.30 favorite), was third.
*Story John Curtis, November 14, 2023 - Pic Edward Cummings FB*
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