PONSONBY'S ON THE ROAD AGAIN

TUESDAY: November 12, 2024: LIKE Willie Nelson’s famous 1980s hit, James Ponsonby is on the road again.

First stop for the Hawkesbury trainer was a successful trip to Queanbeyan today, and then later in the week he’s off further south for The Valley meeting in Melbourne on Friday night.

Ponsonby claimed a second victory with bargain buy Drunken Sailor ($2 favorite) in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m) at Queanbeyan, and believes the lightly-raced four-year-old can measure up to city grade at his next preparation.

A $220,000 yearling buy in New Zealand, Ponsonby had a “throw at the stumps” and secured the Ocean Park four-year-old for $1250 online in January.

“Luck was on our side,” he said. “Drunken Sailor was way down the order somewhere around Lot 170 as an unraced three-year-old.

“He was a bit cantankerous when I got him, but we were able to win a Bathurst Maiden (1400m) with him in April at only his second start.

“Drunken Sailor is still learning his craft, but I like him and there’s no doubt he has raw talent.

“Now that he has gained confidence from another win, I will most likely give him a break.

“He is a nice horse and I feel will develop into a suitable candidate next preparation for those 3 and 4YO Midway Benchmark 72 Handicaps in town.”

Confidently ridden by John Kissick, Drunken Sailor settled back in the field and quickly rounded up his rivals when taken wider on the track after straightening.

He defeated pacemaker Sir Sublime ($2.45) by more than two lengths after the runner-up had got his own way in front but was no match for Ponsonby’s gelding.

Ponsonby is heading to Melbourne on Thursday night with his Jericho Cup hope Will To Excel, who qualified for the Warrnambool 4600m marathon on December 1 by taking the Mountaineer Cup (3200m) at Wagga on November 1.

He is following the same path he has the last two years with the gelding by contesting Friday night’s Road To The Jericho, a Benchmark 78 Handicap over 3800m, at The Valley, and has booked Ed Keating to ride the evergreen nine-year-old.

“Ed rode Will To Excel when he ran fourth in the Jericho Cup Consolation at Warrnambool last year, so it’s good to have someone who knows the horse,” Ponsonby said.

Friday night’s race is run under Highweight conditions, and Will To Excel has 65.5kg on a 65kg minimum.

Ponsonby has been to the Warrnambool feature the last three years with Will To Excel, who ran fifth in the 2021 Cup and seventh the following year before his close Consolation fourth last year.