FRIDAY: February 21. 2025: HAWKESBURY trainer Blake Ryan had two jockeys to thank after getting back into the winning list at Canberra today.
One rode in the race, and the other’s advice led to the trainer giving his filly another chance after three unplaced runs.
Ryan posted his seventh winner of the season almost to the day he opened his training career with a debut winner (Divine Future) at Orange on February 20, 2021.
After settling a clear last in the Maiden Handicap (1300m), $30,000 yearling buy Graeci broke through at $26 at her fourth start.
“Jean Van Overmeire rode her last time at Bathurst when she lost sight of the lure in an 1100m Maiden, and suggested I give her one more try over a bit further,” Ryan explained en route home this evening.
“So I took her to Canberra for this 1300m Maiden as there is always some cushion in the track there.
“James Innes Jnr gave her a 15 out of 10 ride after drawing the outside barrier and being a clear last on settling down.”
Innes didn’t panic and stayed near the inside on the home turn rather than go wide.
He found room between horses, and Graeci hit the line well to defeat Aweigh ($5.50), trained jointly by Ryan’s father Gerald and Sterling Alexiou.
A three-year-old daughter of Magnia Grecia, Graeci did not begin her career until December 8 last year when fifth in a Maiden Plate (1000m) at her home track.
“That was an encouraging effort as she ran the fastest last 400m and 200m of the race,” Ryan said.
“I took her to the Beaumont track at Newcastle next on Boxing Day, and the track was too firm for her that day.
“I was prepared to forgive that run, and then she was beaten clearly at Bathurst.
“She was on her last chance today, so it was good to see her break through.
“I’ll see how she does before deciding whether to give her another run or a break.
“It might not have been a strong race, but at least she is a winner now and I think she will run 1600m.”
Ryan’s victory was his career 36th, and he was understandably pleased to be back in the winner’s stall.
“We’ve had a few placings lately; Love The Cube and Call Me Grouchy both ran second and Heron and Able Yellow both ran third,” he said.
His Canberra success continued a good week for Hawkesbury trainers, which began with Garry Frazer’s Newcastle win with Binkou last Saturday.
James Ponsonby scored with Socrates at Newcastle on Tuesday and Philipsburg at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, then Darryll Kell (Mahogany Girl) and Brad Widdup (Sunset Park) yesterday at home took the Hawkesbury training base’s number of winners this season to 100 – and Ryan made it 101 today.
Comments