Yet another test awaits Scream Machine in Friday’s Scone Cup and it is one Warwick Farm trainer Jason Coyle is happy to accept.
“I’ve always said, everytime he has come back into work, he’ll get a little better,” Coyle said on Thursday.
“My judgement may be tested next time in, he’ll have to find another couple of lengths having reached this level but I’m confident he will.
“The horse has done a good job, a little bit of patience early on has definitely made a difference.”
The Excites four-year-old is yet another example of buying cheap. Coyle pointed out Queensland doctor Jason Gluch was happy to fork out $13,000 for Scream Machine at a Gold Coast Magic Million sale.
Looking for a Sydney trainer Gluch found Coyle, who kicked off in Newcastle before being lured to Sydney by Nathan Tinkler to head-up the embattled miner’s Patinack Farm operation.
Despite training group 1 winners for Patinack Coyle parted company with Tinkler but it hasn’t stopped this hard worker from training plenty of winners.
Scream Machine being one for the gelding has been to the races on 21 occasions recording five wins and seven placings. A last start win in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup took the prizemoney haul to $374,195. Not bad for a $13,000 purchase.
“I’m thankful Dr Gluch found me,” Coyle said. “He is a really good owner, he has a two-year-old More Than Ready youngster in the stable with a couple of other owners.”
The Wagga feature was run over 2000m but the Scone Cup is over 1600m.
“The biggest hurdle tomorrow is coming back 400m in distance,” Coyle said.
“I don’t think the barrier [15] will be an issue, he’ll probably be held up early.
“We’ve freshened the horse up and he has done well in the stable. He pulled up really, really good after winning at Wagga and the best part about bringing them back in distance is you don’t have to put as much work into them.”
The Scone Cup is the main feature on the opening day of the Hunter Valley club’s lucrative two day meeting which includes stand alone Saturday status.
Coyle is hoping to strike early on Friday with the debutante Sweet Serendipity running in the Inglis 2yo Challenge.
“The biggest concern is going to the races for the first time and taking on horses that have been there and done it,” Coyle said.
“I couldn’t wish for a better barrier [5], and his trial was good last Friday. He needed to trial well to put him on a float and send him up to Scone.
“He came out and won the trial in good style. He is a horse that has always shown us a bit at home on the track.”
Sweet Serendipity was “brought back into work” with “this race in mind”.
“He has done everything right for me at home and hopefully he can take it to Scone,” Coyle said.
Joining Scream Machine and Sweet Serendipity on the float to Scone will be Smart Moochie which is set to have start number four in the Vinery Stud Handicap.
“He showed a bit of ability winning his maiden at Rosehill earlier this year,” Coyle said.
“The form out of the maiden win was good, obviously he has got to come back and prove it again but he also won a trial last Friday when not asked to do much.
“He is not fully wound up but on ability he’ll be competitive.”
By Craig Young
