A lack of solid workouts on the training track will not come against Warwick Farm trained gallopers heading to Rosehill on Saturday.
That’s the tip from Warwick Farm horseman Greg Hickman who heads across town confident Taxmeifyoucan, Palasport and Girls Go Racing can perform well.
Hickman, whose galloper Shamardani won well at the home track last Saturday, confirmed Palasport and Girls Go Racing had solid workouts at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
“The new pro-ride track at the Farm is very good,” Hickman said.
“We had four inches of rain and we were still able to do our normal gallops. The track has certainly made a difference, it is really, really good and everyone out here has been positive about it.”
Taxmeifyoucan was able to gallop strongly on the course proper at Warwick Farm last Saturday which is how Hickman prepares the gelding for up-coming events.
“I’m quite happy with him,” Hickman said.
“I don’t know when he is going to grow up, may never but he is a lot better than earlier days. He is handling life a lot better, better than his first two preparations.
“He can tie up really bad due to not handling the work and the feed. I’ve said all along he is immature and we probably will not see the best for another preparation.
“He does have the ability, any horse that can barrier trial on a Tuesday and run third on a Saturday behind horses that have won group races must go all right.
“Tomorrow is another step up for him but there is a bit of form around him, I’m happy with him going to the races, he has done everything right.”
Girls Go Racing and Palasport have also had the benefit of one run back from a spell although the former is always a worry.
“It depends on whether she [Girls Go Racing] wants to turn up on raceday,” Hickman said.
“She can get a bit silly at the races and the sad thing about it is she not a big fan of Rosehill, she has never won a race there, had a few placings.
“I’d like to see an improved run and it looks as though they are going to go real fast. From the wide barrier, we’ll go back, ride her for luck and hopefully she produces that short sharp sprint she has.”
Palasport’s most recent victory of which there have been seven was at Rosehill back in September and he’ll carry only 52kg after the 2kg claim for rising apprentice Sam Clipperton.
“Palasport has done good in the stable and while it is a strong race I’m happy with his work, it has been A grade all week,” Hickman said.
“He has been feeling good in himself and the feed bin has been cleaned out all week.
“If the right things happen all three horses could be in the money. Some days you go to the races thinking they’ll all run good and they run fourth, fifth, 20th, you face those problems all the time.”
The lot of the trainer.
By Craig Young
