Jockey Rory Hutchings is adamant it won’t take lightly raced gelding Accredited long to work his way through the grades and is looking forward to getting the chance to show it at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The Joe Pride-trained four-year-old’s chances have been cruelled twice, since a strong first-up win, by drawing the outside barrier but Hutchings said things appear to have fallen into place in the Kia Ora Farnan Handicap (1200m).
Of course Hutchings did partner Everest champion Think About It to his first two wins so when he says a horse has potential it’s worth noting.
“I’ve got a pretty good opinion of him, as you can see from the weights I’ve ridden on him,’’ Hutchings said.
“When he won at Nowra (on debut) he won on raw ability, he had no idea what he was doing and he won quite comfortably.
“He gives me a really good feel, he’s genuine Saturday class and he’s still really raw so he’s only going to improve with racing.”
Hutchings got down to 55.5kg to ride Accredited, $4.60 with TAB on Tuesday, second-up when a closing fifth behind Boston Rocks at Randwick on December 16.
Then on Boxing Day, down in class but up to 60kg, he had to contend with a wide run but still finished a couple of lengths off Chilli Filly and Spring Lee.
He’s riding the horse at 56kg on Wednesday and has a level of confidence that he can atone for his last couple and stamp himself a horse of the future.
“At Randwick (second-up) it was probably a bit short for him and the track was a fraction firm so he didn’t completely extend on that firm going,’’ he said.
“He goes on good tracks but it just firmed up that day to the point he started to feel it.
“Last start we drew the car park and we stayed there pretty much. It was an enormous run, I think we were six wide no cover the whole way but the horse kept trying and he probably wasn’t entitled to with the run he had.
“He shows good gate speed so I was really happy when I saw the draw come out. There’s plenty of things in his favour.
“Still being a lightly raced horse I’d say he almost at the end of the prep but he’s in good enough form to be right there.”
Chris Waller provides Hutchings with his other Warwick Farm ride and he said he’ll be taking an open mind into the mount on debutante Omikami in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap (1400m).
The filly by The Autumn Sun, part-owned by the champion trainer, has trialled twice in the lead up to her first outing.
“Having a lot to do with Chris in the past you know what to expect from his horses’ first starts,’’ he said.
“She’s drawn a little awkward so I’d say it’ll be get back run on.”
It’s been a solid festive season for the 28-year-old who largely bases himself at the provincials but won’t hesitate when an opportunity comes up in town, like this weekend when he’ll be in action at Rosehill.
“The last month has been really good and those opportunities come with being in form,’’ he said.
– Racing NSW