Hennessy More Than Half a Chance

Tuesday, 08 October 2002 00:00

In form New South Wales trainer Bede Murray is confident the smart Sydneysider Half Hennessy can return to the winner's stall in Saturday's Group One $1 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Guineas.

Half Hennessy ran the fastest final 200 metre sectional of all of the 16 timed runners for this weekend's meeting, even quicker than his Guineas rivals Bel Esprit, Great Glen and Choisir.

All of the Guineas runners worked impressively at the Heath this morning, but Half Hennessy was clearly the star of the morning, coming home his final furlong in 10.96 seconds, nearly half a second quicker than Bel Esprit.

Murray confessed after the stirring gallop that his colt by Hennessy worked more impressively that he had thought he would.

"It was a great gallop," Murray said.

With trackwork rider Owen Davies in the saddle Half Hennessy trotted one lap of the Caulfield track before being asked to quicken on his second lap.

Davies then released the brakes and the gelding gradually increased his speed and at the post he was absolutely flying.

A third placegetter in last Friday night's Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, Half Hennessy has disappointed in both his runs in Melbourne, but connections are sure he will be more than competitive on the weekend.

"He has taken a little time to settle in here in Melbourne," Murray said. "And I'm sure he is going to be right there on Saturday."

Murray was critical of Corey Brown's ride aboard the colt last Friday and he also felt roomier tracks could also be a key.

"His best form has come on the bigger tracks like Kembla Grange and Randwick," Murray added. "So I'm sure Caulfield will suit him much better than Moonee Valley."

"Another disappointing thing about his run at Moonee Valley was that he missed the start and had to be ridden further back than we had wanted."

Murray said that barrier fourteen, may in fact help Half Hennessy and not hinder his winning chances.

"I can see lots of speed from the inside with Choisir and Great Glen and on the outside Bel Esprit is going to work across quickly," he predicted. "So we might be able to take up a position just in behind them."

The man who also puts the polish on the Group One winners Universal Prince and Victory Vein felt that the best of Half Hennessy was still to come.

"I'm sure he is going to be a better horse in the autumn," Murray reported.

PIC - Quentin Lang.