Jason Coyle has returned to a slice of thoroughbred paradise. The racehorse trainer’s Masterstroke is due to go round in a Benchmark 75 at Canterbury on Wednesday and the Coyle stable is rolling out winners.
To think Coyle was a one-time player in the embattled empire of mining magnate Nathan Tinkler. Lured to Sydney to head-up Tinkler’s ill planned, badly advised, attempt to become Australian racing’s version of Jack and Bob Ingham.
“I’m more than happy to be back at Warwick Farm,” Coyle said on Tuesday. “A wonderful place to train racehorses.”
That’s where Tinkler imported Coyle but the “big guys” stable ended up at Randwick. So Tinkler imported Coyle from Newcastle to Warwick Farm and then on to Randwick where it all went sour.
When Tinkler dropped Coyle, who produced group 1 winners for the currently cashed-strapped owner, he returned to Warwick Farm where the 100 odd horse team shrank to a now stable of 20.
“I’ve got 20 in work, room for a few more, 28 at Warwick Farm where the conditions are first rate,” Coyle said.
“The new Pro-Ride track is outstanding, we’ve got the A grass and steeple available for work on certain days.
“We’ve got the sand and tracks off-course we can utilise. Our horses at Warwick Farm don’t have to be worked on-course every day.”
Horses like Masterstroke.
“I’d suggest he is racing in career best form,” Coyle said about a Wednesday dividend at Canterbury.
“His distance record is saying the 1250m might not be ideal but I believe a nice barrier in two, a soft run in transit, I think he’ll see the trip nicely.
“The horse looks fantastic and is racing great, there is nothing to say he will not be in the mix tomorrow.”
Coyle is contemplating backing up last Saturday’s impressive victor Scream Machine at Rosehill while the 34-year-old trainer has ruled out a start on the same day for first-up winner Lady Be Great.
“I’ll wait with Lady Be Great while we’ll accept with Scream Machine in a 1900m race,”Coyle said.
“I’ll have a look at the race at acceptance time. The other option is to miss this weekend and hope to get a start in the Villiers on Saturday week.
“He was impressive last Saturday and while lower in the benchmark for a group 2 race like the Villiers, I believe he has the ability.
“He still might be a preparation away and if we decide to run this Saturday it could be his last race before a short let-up.
“There are some nice races for a horse like him in the autumn and if it all works out the owners are going to have some fun, he is that type of horse.”
By Craig Young
