One For The Road

Saturday, 27 October 2012 03:02

Crack A RoadieStephen Theodore had no problem telling the world that he had a good horse on his hands before Crack A Roadie won the $250,000 Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

But it was probably more the extensive education that Theodore gave his horse that won him the race.

Jumpouts followed by two official trials gave Crack A Roadie ($3.20-$5.50) the experience he needed to defeat Diva Dee ($7.50-$6.00-$6.50) by a short half head in a driving finish. Third was Shamus Award ($3.60-$6.00). Favourite Pinova finished last after leading to the turn.

After the race Theodore said:

"I could have looked a pretty big mug because I said he was best horse I'd trained and he hadn't even had a start up until 30 seconds ago so it could've been pretty embarrassing if it didn't come off."

"Why lie? I've been doing this (training) for eight years now and everyone sends me these lovely six and seven year olds which I'm rapt to train and I've made a good living from it but I'm never going to find a really good horse that way."

Winning jockey Craig Williams was a part of the education program which saw Crack A Roadie lead in one trial and then get ridden back to give him experience of both styles of racing. Today's race saw him ridden well off the pace set by Pinova before coming home with a solid finishing burst.

"He is very solid and he took a lot of riding but every time I asked him he responded really well", Williams said.

"Steve has put a lot of work into this horse and ever since this horse had his first trial he got in touch with my agent Mark Guest and told us what he thought of the horse."

Theodore was obviously getting tired of training older horses and decided to take a chance on buying some younger ones, including a brother to Road Trippin which he has trained to win over $100,000.

"I put the noose around the neck and bought 14 yearlings this year and lucky enough I might turn out to be a not bad judge."

"Obviously his full brother (Road Trippin) I trained and that certainly was a big influence but the Charge Forwards were averaging about $120,000 and this bloke I bought for $40,000 because no one liked him."

Theodore has obviously learned plenty about training horses from his father Les, famous for putting the polish on Group 1 galloper Campaign King.

"Dad's an integral part of my stable and I lean on him every day. I got him to come down and look at this horse one day when he galloped and he said he was no Campaign King but he is a bloody nice horse so look after him."

Williams is looking forward to partnering Crack A Roadie again in the major two year old race during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.

"When you look at the horse in his coat he has got a lot of upside to him, even this preparation so if he pulls up sound I'll be looking forward to the Maribyrnong Trial (Stakes) with him."

By Charge Forward, Crack A Roadie is out of the Flying Spur mare Road To Damascus. He was sold for $40,000 at this year's Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin, Quentin Lang