INJURY-prone Warrnambool galloper Renegade Arrow gets his chance for metropolitan success in a 1200-metre race under lights at Moonee Valley tonight.
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Trainer Patrick Ryan said the former Flemington-trained galloper was in top condition for the $35,000 race.
“He’ll never be 100 per cent because of issues with his knees but he’s the best I’ve had him since I started training him last year,” he said.
“It looks like this race will really suit him.
“He should jump and lead and with any luck I’m hopeful that he will still be in front at the end.
“The claim for apprentice jockey Harry Coffey is a bonus,” he said.
“Renegade Arrow used to be trained by Michael Moroney but he kept on having problems with his knees so the owners sent him down here for the beach.”
Renegade Arrow ran off the track at Murtoa at his last start on October 5 and pulled up sore, forcing Ryan to freshen up the six-year-old.
“It’s a shame that Renegade Arrow has the issues with his knees,” Ryan said.
“One of his knees is as big as a grapefruit. I’ve just had to space his runs. I’m sure if he never had the issues with his knees Renegade Arrow would have been a very smart horse.
“The tight track at Murtoa didn’t really suit him.
“We don’t have any big plans with him as we can only take it one run at a time.
“It would be great if he can win one in town. I reckon he deserves it.”
Renegade Arrow was scratched from a race at Terang on Monday after the track was rated slow.
“He just does not go well on a choppy track,” Ryan said. “The surface at Terang wasn’t going to suit him so I scratched him.
“I’m just hoping the track at the Valley tonight is good. He’s not an easy horse to place but I’m hopeful the surface will suit him.”
Last-start Warrnambool winner Finley Harper and Heppell will run for the Wilde stable after the Ararat meeting on Tuesday was abandoned due to track conditions.
Trainer Symon Wilde said he was confident Finley Harper would run out a strong 2500 metres in tonight’s $35,000 race, while Heppell tries to break her maiden status in a 2040-metre race.