TUESDAY: September 17, 2024: HE started at 4am, rode 10 horses work and then embarked on an eight-and-a-half hour return trip to Moruya races.
All in a day’s work for Hawkesbury trainer Blake Ryan, and thankfully the return trip was made that much easier, courtesy of a victory with $2 favorite Asuriito.
The three-year-old made it two wins from as many starts when successful in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1010m).
Ridden by James Innes Jnr, who also partnered the Brazen Beau gelding in his debut Maiden Plate (930m) victory at the same track on August 30, Asuriito led throughout to defeat Tokyo Ice ($4.40) and Laguna Seca ($6).
Ryan has now won three races early in the new season with Asuriito and Up The Front; the only two horses he purchased at the Magic Millions National yearling sale at the Gold Coast in June last year.
He paid $25,000 for Asuriito (a Japanese word for athletic), and $20,000 more for Up The Front, who scored at Hawkesbury first-up in a Provincial Maiden Plate (1000m) on September 7 at only his second start.
“I was a bit concerned about Asuriito going to a Benchmark 58, but got a lot more confident when he pinged the gates and was quickly in front,” Ryan said en route home.
“Asuriito makes his own luck and tries hard. They are his greatest attributes.
“The runner-up didn’t step well, but had her chance from the home turn to beat us and I felt we were holding her on the line.
“Asuriito has already repaid his purchase price, and provided he continues to eat and do well, we will keep poking around the fringes with him.”
As for stablemate Up The Front, Ryan says he is fine but is finding it difficult selecting a suitable race for him.
“I will probably nominate him for a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) at home on Thursday week, but that’s a decent ask going from a Maiden,” he said.
Ryan also trialled three horses (Calgary King, Lychee Martini and Strawberry Impact) at Hawkesbury this morning, but couldn’t wait to watch them.
“I had to leave the stables at 9.15am, and they didn’t trial until later in the morning,” he said.
Understandably, Ryan went back to the National sale a few months ago, but returned empty-handed.
“I had my eye on a couple of yearlings, but they didn’t pass vet tests,” he said.
“But I’ll definitely be there again next year.”
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