Day Out For The Carey Boys
- Saturday, 29 May 2010 05:16
A detachment of Carey Grammar students invaded the winners circle at Moonee Valley this afternoon after Philda won the Sportingbet Handicap.
Carrying the blue and yellow colours of their school, Philda won its ninth race from only 24 starts.
Philda, leased to the boys by its trainer Mick Kent, was patiently ridden by Nicholas Hall, who sat off a strong pace set by favourite Eight Bills.
Hall had a tough task from the near outside barrier in the 14 horse field.
"It looked like there was going to be good speed on paper and it was always an issue whether I would find a sit somewhere there", Hall said.
"It worked out that I did."
"He's got good tactical speed and he's a very tractable horse which makes my job easier."
"He does everything right and when you draw awkward barriers like that it really helps."
Kent was delighted with the ride.
"He rode him exactly how I wanted", he said.
"I said get across and just give him a breather and he was very patient from the 600 to the 500 and when he got to the corner he was on the bridle."
"I thought we're going to take some beating now."
Never unplaced first up, only once unplaced from 8 runs at the distance and twice unplaced from 14 runs on rain affected tracks, Philda looked the form horse of the race.
"He's a pretty good horse", Kent confirmed.
"He doesn't run a bad race very often. Only when we put him in the wrong race."
"Moonee Valley's a good track for the horse, it's a good surface for him."
Kent is keen to race Philda in better company in order to keep down the weight he is asked to carry.
He has the VRC Winter Championship earmarked for Philda in the first week of July.
"He's just getting up in the weights a bit now", he said.
"I'm very pleased today that he did that and we can take a chance now on that race."
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
