Transparent Goose Throws Cat Amongst Pigeons
The veteran has had his fair share of ‘morning glories’ and after Approachable Lass’ eyecatching win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday, what does he make of his Ideal World debutante Sbrigati today?
One of the most astute judges around, the Hollywoodbets-sponsored Louis told the Sporting Post on Sunday that he really couldn’t give anybody too much confidence with Approachable Lass, who was having her first run for him, but came home lonely under Chase Maujean.
“Her last run was bad and she hurt herself in her tendons. There are a lot of remedies for curing tendons. They are finnicky though. And she’s a burly filly, who, like her trainer, loves her food. I thought she would need it and the run would bring her on – and then she wins as well as she did! Just shows you,” laughs the man they call ‘The Goose’.
But now comes the quandary.
Louis tells that today’s first race debutante Sbrigati, which is Italian and apparently translates to ‘hurry up’, beat Approachable Lass in work last week.
“She beat her hard held. Now you understand why I had no confidence on Sunday! I watched the work and thought – an unraced filly is stronger than her? But now after yesterday’s win, it puts things in perspective a little bit, and suddenly Sbrigati just may be something!” he laughs.
Always keen to be transparent with the betting public, the veteran says he doesn’t quite know what to think. His charge is currently at 14-1 with Hollywoodbets.
“Look, Approachable Lass won over 1200m on the turf yesterday. I have Sbrigati over 1000m on the poly today. The idea in my heart of hearts was that she is by Ideal World, her dam won over 1400m, so she may be more comfortable over further. So I was wanting her to enjoy it and learn a bit about racing today. Also, she has a good draw – but on the poly if you don’t use it, you lose it. I haven’t been pushing her on speed out of the stalls, so who knows?” he ponders.
Louis Goosen has written the text-book on the challenges of training racehorses. He knows very well that trackwork, often tagged a morning glory, doesn’t always translate to match-winning performances on raceday. His very own Zapotek is a shining example of that!
“They are flesh and blood – it’s not pushing buttons. Horses teach us something new every day. I just want the public to understand that it’s only a professional observation and I’m putting it out there. Win, lose or draw, she’s a nice sort,” he concluded.
The scratching of Gauteng raider Regina Bellissima has reduced the first race field to 9 runners.
Ed – have to add the replay video for posterity!
Don’t forget about the free to play Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge – your entry is due in no later than five minutes before the first at 12h25.
Trainer Fabian Habib sends out Ice Star in Race 7. She was an easy winner of her last start over 1200m on this course.
She raced from a handy position, quickened up well and won going away. The daughter of William Longsword has class about her and she can follow up.
Parmenion from the Garth Puller stable may be the horse to close off the meeting. He ran a fair race in the Non-Black Type Bloomhill Stud KZN Breeders 1600 last time.
He has won twice and finished third twice from six starts over this course and distance.
The son of Crusade returns to Handicap Company and with Rachel Venniker taking the 1.5kgs off his back, he can notch up his third career victory.
Please note that Calvin Habib is not riding today.
- The Bipot starts in the first race at 12h25
- The Place Accumulator starts in the second race at 13h00
- The Pick 6 starts in the third race at 13h35
- The first Jackpot starts in the fourth race at 14h10
- The second Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 14h45
