HIGHLY priced yearling Brave Tango repaid his owners some of their initial purchase money when he scored an impressive debut victory at Donald on Saturday.
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Brave Tango defeated Our Smoothie by nearly a length, with Perform A Miracle in third place in the $22,000 maiden plate over 1204 metres.
Crossley trainer Mitch Freedman parted with $100,000 to buy Brave Tango at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Melbourne.
The young trainer is confident he will turn into an excellent investment for his connections.
“Brave Tango won on raw ability,” Freedman said.
“I thought he was a cracking type the first time I saw him at the yearling sales. I just had to buy him.
“I’ve always had a high regard for him since we broke him in.
“He’s got a lot of potential.
“He went shin-sore a couple of times before he came right.
“He raced a bit green, but he’s got plenty of ability.
“We may head to Geelong or Bendigo for his next run, but we’re not in a hurry.”
Freedman also saddled up Bon For Glory to win her maiden victory on the synthetic track at Geelong last Friday.
“I was really excited with the win of Bon For Glory, as it’s the first winner I’ve trained for Ken King Thoroughbreds,” he said.
“I’ve had a couple of runners for Ken.
“It’s just great to get the monkey off our back and get a winner.
“Bon For Glory’s first-up run at Geelong was full of merit. I was happy with how Bon For Glory hit the line.
“I’ll keep her in races around the 1200 metres.
“I think that’s about her distance range.”
Bon For Glory took her prizemoney earnings to more than $17,000 with the victory.
DECISION TIME
WARRNAMBOOL trainer Simon Ryan is keeping his options open regarding running his imported jumper Dormello Mo in the last two Western District steeplechase races at Casterton and Coleraine in September.
Ryan had intended spelling Dormello Mo a spell following his fourth placing in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on August 20.
But the popular trainer has had a change of heart.
“I put Dormello Mo in the paddock after his start in the National Steeplechase with full intention of giving him a good break,” he said.
“But he’s been bucking his brands off, so I’m thinking of the steeplechase races at Casterton and Coleraine.
“I’m not sure the steeplechase races at Casterton and Coleraine will be really strong. A lot of the good jumpers have gone to the paddock, so it may pay to keep him ticking over.
“I’ll get a better idea when it gets closer to the races.
“I might only run in the one steeplechase – we’ll just wait and see how the horse is feeling before the Casterton ’chase on September 10.”
The last steeplechase for the season will be run at Coleraine on September 24.
MAHER HONOUR
CIARON Maher’s performance in training Regina Coeli to her second Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase win has led to him being named a finalist for the Fred Hoysted Medal.
The medal recognises the most outstanding single training performance on a Victorian racetrack during the 2016-17 season.
Other nominees include David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig for Redkirk Warrior’s historic win in the Newmarket Stakes. The trio also earnt a nomination for the group one double on Blue Diamond Stakes Day with Catchy and Sheidel.
Almandin’s win in the Melbourne Cup saw Robert Hickmott nominated, while Chris Waller picked up a nomination with the second Cox Plate win by Winx.
The Fred Hoysted Medal is open to both local and interstate trainers.
The prestigious medal has been won by some of Australia’s leading trainers including Bart Cummings, Lee Freedman, David Hayes and Darren Weir.
The winner will be announced at the Scobie Breasley Medals night on September 3.
SWACA SHINES
TOUGH stayer Swacadelic took his stake earnings to more than $346,000 when he ran fourth in a 2500 metre race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell was happy with the performance of the seven-year-old.
“It was a very good run by Swacadelic,” he said.
“It’s his fourth run back in from a break. “We’ll keep him to similar distance staying races over the next few weeks to see if we can run in some of the stronger spring staying events. We can always drop back to the 3000 metre races around Moonee Valley at the night meetings over the summer if he does not measure up.” Swacadelic has won five of his 38 starts.
TRIO OUT
TALENTED jockeys Jackie Beriman, Michelle Payne and Chelsea Hall have all been suspended on careless riding charges.
Beriman was outed for her ride on Lava Tongue at Warrnambool on Thursday, while Payne and Hall were suspended at Geelong on Friday. The trio can resume riding on September 5.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Sue Jaensch is an underrated Naracoorte trainer who’s been mentioned in this column many times over the years. She showed her skills training Victory Downs to a narrow win at Morphettville on Saturday. Punters must respect her runners.
Boom Time finished off a 1500 metre race well at his first run from a break. He will be better suited to races over more ground during the spring. Keep an eye on him.