Winner Viva Delspec (left) is ready to take on the May Racing Carnival.
NOVICE hurdler Viva Delspec is ready to take on stronger class jumping races following his impressive win in a $20,000 open hurdle at Warrnambool yesterday, according to his trainer Terry O’Sullivan.
The Stawell trainer, who trains in partnership with his daughter Karina, said his long-term aim for the six-year-old was to run in the $100,000 Galleywood Hurdle at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.
“We were quietly confident he could win the race. It was a very good ride by Martin Kelly,” he said.
“He rode a very patient race. It was an impressive win. He’s ready to take the next step now.
“We’ll give him one more run within the next fortnight and then look at the Yalumba Hurdle at the Oakbank carnival at Easter before working out a plan to get him ready for the Galleywood Hurdle.”
The respected trainer said Viva Delspec derived a lot of experience from having four starts in jumping races last season.
“We put a lot of grounding into him last season with plans for a big season this year,” he said. “His maiden win at Bendigo last season was very good.
“He’s at the right age for a jumping horse. He’s a big strong horse who also likes wet tracks.
“We still think there’s a bit of improvement in him but there has to be as we will be rising in class at this next few runs.”
Viva Delspec has won two of his five jumps starts.
Meanwhile, Warrnambool-trained jumper Reckless Rat scored a gutsy win at his debut jumps start in a $20,000 maiden hurdle over 3215 metres yesterday. Reckless Rat is trained by Bill and Symon Wilde.
The five-year-old was well ridden by Irish-born jockey Shane Jackson.
Symon Wilde predicted a bright jumps career for Reckless Rat following his win by more than three lengths over Scenic Buzz.
