Another Midweek Win For Carlos
- Wednesday, 07 July 2010 03:32
For the second consecutive Wednesday, Juan Carlos featured in the winners’ enclosure.
His latest success came today in the $30,000 Mosstrooper Hurdle (3400m) at Betfair Park Sandown Lakeside.
Leading throughout in the field of five, Juan Carlos and his rider Steven Pateman ensured the race was run at a steady tempo.
Grizz attacked Juan Carlos prior to the second last fence but after putting in a poor leap at the 600 metre mark, his chances faded rapidly.
Saving ground towards the rails around the home bend, Pateman pushed Juan Carlos through the Heavy (10) going to clear the final fence superbly and win comfortably.
Trained by Allison Bennett at Moe, Juan Carlos ($2.50-$2.60-$2.40 fav) defeated Vindicating ($3-$3.50-$3.40) by 4-1/2 lengths with Grizz ($3.30-$5) finishing a further seven lengths adrift.
Bullecourt ($4.60-$5) finished fourth but never appeared in winning chance during the race while Klutos ($15-$31) was retired out of the race prior to the final fence at the 350 metre mark.
“It’s always good to see a bunch of owners, really love the horse – that’s what racing should be all about,” Pateman said.
“To win for them is a good thing.
Juan Carlos is likely to contest August’s Grand National Hurdle after finishing second behind Desert Master in last year’s edition.
Pateman believes the promise of drier tracks next month holds Juan Carlos in good stead.
“I don’t think he’s a real wet tracker. I think he handles it but I don’t think he really has an as good turn of foot on it.”
“The tracks dry out in August, so he’s on the right track.”
Bennett said late last week that Juan Carlos had developed an abscess since last Wednesday’s victory on the Geelong Synthetic track.
He could trial over steeples in order to give Bennett the option of running him in either the Grand National Hurdle or Grand National Steeple
The nine-year-old gelding has won ten times from 78 starts, with a record of two wins and three placings from seven starts over jumps.
Juan Carlos has accumulated $217,013 in prizemoney.
Pictures: Colin Bull
