Trustus Defies Training Traditions

Tuesday, 15 June 2010 09:44

A two day turnaround and 59 kilograms was not enough to stop Trutus prevailing in the $50,000 StrathAyr Turf Systems Handicap (1519m) at Moonee Valley.

Trustus ($4.60,$5,$4.40) left the gates well and was given the run of the race by Steven Arnold who went around just one horse on the way to victory.

Turning for home Arnold used experience and poise to shoulder his way off the rail and was able to run down the persistent Prospect ($15,$18) by just a half neck on the line with Have A Shot ($6,$7) two lengths away third.

Most punters were surprised to see the four-year-old line up let alone win the event but co-trainer Fran Houlahan was never concerned by the short back up.

"When you have got Steven Arnold, you have drawn inside and the horse has pulled up so well, there is no reason not to run," said Houlahan.

"We know our horse, we know he is fit and we have them very fit before their races so they can do these sorts of things."

However Arnold admitted he wasn't as confident leading into the race but praised the training duo for backing their own judgement.

"I thought he had a hard run on Saturday and with the big weight here today I thought the job was ahead of him," said Arnold.

"Congratulations to Fran and Brian for going against traditional training methods and backing their judgement."

Trustus has now won five of his 23 starts for more than $250,000 in prizemoney and Houlahan is hoping to add to the total in the Winter Championship final.

"We will look at the Winter Championship with him, but we would like to get him out over 2000m this time in," said Houlahan.