Top Jock to Resolve Barrier Problem
- Monday, 17 February 2003 00:00
A talented filly by Success Express, a master trainer of two-year-olds in
Clarry Conners and arguably Australia's best jockey in Damien Oliver - three big bonuses
for Resolved in Wednesday's rich Channel 7 Magic Millions Adelaide Two-year-old Classic.But the biggest hurdle she faces is the outside draw in the capacity field - barrier 17 - which will take all the ability of horse and rider to overcome.
Conners, reknown for winning the big juvenile races including four Golden Slippers, remains confident the filly can counter the wide draw and add another two-year-old Classic to the trophy cabinet.
"The draw make it pretty hard," Conners said. "But that's why you put jockey's like Damien Oliver on board. She is a horse that gets back and is strong at the finish, so she would have been in the second-half of the field regardless."
Part of Conner's philosophy with two-year-olds is to let them learn by experience and race to their peak He has followed the same path with Resolved whose debut - just three starts ago at Rosehill, was anything but spectacular.
"She was very green on debut and was never in the hunt, but she has continued to learn from her runs since then," Conners said. "I like to have my juveniles improving at each run - and she's done just that. She won her second start at Moonee Valley and should have won her last start at Flemington as a lead-up to this."
The filly missed the start badly, trailling the field for most of the journey before working home to finish runner-up to Frasassas.
"She half fell over at the start and came out two lengths last,"
Conners said. "She ran home well but had to come around the entire field down the
middle of the track and was just lost in the straight. It was a top run though and she's
continued to work well since."
Conners is hoping for a hectic pace in Wednesday's race, knowing his filly will be doing her best work at the finish.
"Most of the horses have been running over 1000m, so there should be a good pace on," Conners said. "My filly is very strong at the finish and will only get better with time. She's a lovely big filly and, provided she runs well on Wednesday, will return to Melbourne for the Sires' Produce Stakes."
Last year's inaugural Magic Millions winner, Milkshake, was trained by Colin Little and ridden by Peter Mertens. This will be Conners' first local Millions runner and will also be Oliver's first ride in the race.
Conners is also keen to stay on to secure some more juveniles at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sales, which begin 6pm Wednesday for Session 1, 11am Thursday for Session 2 and 11am Friday for the Summer Session. A total of 522 lots are due to go under the hammer.
"I've had a look through the catalogue and it looks a good sale," Conners said. "I'll try to find some yearlings to take home with me."
PICS - Quentin
Lang.
Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)