Craig Brennan – AAP
It’s always good to land a winner on your home track and trainer Pat Carey has had double the reason to celebrate at Mornington on Grand Final Day, September 30th.
After three-year-old Ultra Smart (Smart Missile/Fraschetti) broke her maiden status in the Highview Accounting Mornington Handicap (1000m) the Carey-trained Toorak Cowboy won the following race, Thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap.
“It’s always been a good day for us this day,” Carey said.
“We’ve won a couple of Ansett Classics but it’s nice to win any race here at Mornington.
“It’s where the meeting should always be on grand final day.
“It’s got a good atmosphere and people on the peninsula always support racing.”
Carey got some extra satisfaction out of the win of Ultra Smart.
“She’s a lovely William Inglis filly bought at the Melbourne Premier sale with Super VOBIS Gold attached,” Carey said.
“She’s got a great group of owners, long-term clients, brothers, sisters and cousins, all sorts involved and they’re all pretty excited.”
Ridden by apprentice Jack Martin, Ultra Smart ($4.80) led throughout in scoring by a head from Tarcoola Spirit ($4.20), with the $3.40 favourite Je Suis Tycoon a further 1-3/4 lengths away in third.
Carey said Ultra Smart had taken a lot of improvement from her debut third at Mornington earlier in September.
Toorak Cowboy’s win was in contrast with that of his stablemate coming from the tail of the field.Ridden by Rhys McLeod, Toorak Cowboy ($5.50) scored by 1-3/4 lengths in front of Bob Of The Head ($13), with Super Fun ($21) a length further away in third.
Toorak Cowboy is raced by long term clients and friends at Clanbrooke Racing and Sharing Winners syndications, Clanbrooke raced Pat’s first ever Group 1 winner ARAPAHO MISS, winner of the VRC Oaks. Interestingly Pat and Cheryl purchased a foal from Arapaho Miss at this year’s Karaka Premier Sale, and Clanbrooke were quick to snap her up. She has just come back into our stables to continue her education, and we look forward to her racing career with great anticipation.
As always many thanks to all of the team at Epsom Lodge including our staff, veterinary, farrier and support crew who all work together to get our horses into tip-top shape, ready to give their best on race-day.