DEBUT jumper About The Journey capped off a big weekend for Cranbourne trainer Eric Musgrove yesterday when he won a $20,000 maiden hurdle.
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The Warrnambool win followed stablemate Urban Explorer’s victory in the $50,000 South Australian Grand National Hurdle on Saturday.
About The Journey, a drifter in the betting to $4.80, overhauled Eleuther ($31) and Big Ben Chimes ($16) to score an impressive win in the 3231-metre race.
Musgrove said About The Journey would have been unlucky if he failed.
“He would have been a certainty beaten if he never won. It was a big run by About The Journey,” he said.
“He ran into a couple of dead ends in the race. It was no fault of jockey Arron Lynch.
“About The Journey had a look around Warrnambool last Thursday when I trialled him.
“I reckon he’s got a bright future.
“He handles wet ground, which is a real advantage.
“We’ll take him to Bendigo for the rookie jumps series next time.”
Lynch said About The Journey had to be ridden patiently.
“He’s got a short sprint. We had an interrupted run. I had to cuddle him,” Lynch said.
“When we got to the outside he hit the line really well. I’m sure he will be improved by that run.”
Musgrove said Urban Explorer was going to the spelling paddock following his victory in the South Australian Grand National Hurdle at Morphettville on Saturday.
“Urban Explorer deserves a break,” Musgrove said. “He’s done a really good job. He’s won four jumps races.
We’ll give him the break and get him ready for some of the feature jumps races next season.”
