A HELLUVA RUN

Nov 21, 2023

Now that was a ‘Helluva Run’ if you pardon the pun.

While everyone loves a winner and it’s always disappointing not to get the ultimate result, Helluva Barty did everything but win the Class 3 at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.

The QLD Rogues owners had to be content with second behind the Tony Gollan trained Standing Order which had a picnic in front.

Helluva Barty Racing at Doomben on 28th Oct 2023

PEACH OF A RIDE

It was a supurb piece of horsemanship from Justin Huxtable to overcome a difficult draw and while he came into barrier 9 after originally drawing 13, he still managed to have Helluva Barty three pairs back and getting cover – now that was a good effort.

“Awesome effort he went super.” Jockey Justin Huxtable said.

“We were pretty aggressive from a bad gate and it sort of paid off being able to get a good position in midfield.”

“The problem was after everyone found their positions early they sort of just all backed off the pace down the side which left me a little bit further back off the speed than I would have liked.”

“In saying that once I came off their backs he built very very strongly and maybe just felt the pinch late considering how easily the leader got it up front, but don’t worry our bloke has gone absolutely super” Justin concluded.

Bellinger in the stalls pre-race at Bendigo

“Awesome effort he went super” Jockey Justin Huxtable

Bellinger racehorse Vic Husslers

SECTIONALS TELL A TALE

When you delve a little bit further into the data, the figures add further credence to the performance even further. 

To start with, Helluva Barty travelled 5 metres further than the winner Standing Order. He was 6th at the 800m mark and still 5th at the 400m pole until he pulled out to make a run. 

After the soft lead, the winner was still able to run the fastest final sectionals but Helluva Barty was only fractions of a second off the best sectionals in the race.

Unfortunately, the race turned out the way trainer Matt Hoysted feared.

“To give you an idea in the Class 6 race over 1200m they went out in 35.89 seconds compared to our race where the first 600m was run in 37.13 seconds which means they’ve gone out 8 lengths slower in Helluva Barty’s race making it very difficult for the back markers if not impossible,” Hoysted said.

HELLUVA EARNS A WEEK OFF

To the eye, it didn’t quite look like a gut buster, but your horse certainly felt the run.

“Structurally, he’s come through that run in good order, trotted-up sound, his legs are nice and clean, but he is a little on the jaded side and probably just feeling the effects of that run.”

“He did leave a couple of dippers of feed overnight, really pleased with his run he’s gone super.”

“He’ll head to Kolora Lodge for a week, just want to get him off his legs. He’ll do some work on the water walker and go into a paddock during the day just to help him get over his run.”

WHAT NEXT?

Qld Rogues will have to be a little bit patient.

“We will wait three weeks and go to Eagle Farm. There’s a Benchmark 80 over 1200m, that’s going to be a race where he gets right down in the weights 54.5kg.”

“The options are to run him on Magic Millions Day in the Syndicate which is worth $1 million or potentially maybe take the softer option and the week before there’s a Rising Star event which is for three and a four-year-old, Class 4 which is for colts and geldings worth $250,000 which he could run in.

“We will probably use this next race at Eagle Farm to help decide which path we take.” Matt concluded.

Either way, the QLD Rogues have an exciting New Year period to look forward to. 

Go you good thing!

BOUNCE BACK FACTOR 

As Tycoons were made aware of, there’s a theory in racing that when a horse suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, “you must back it next start” and they win. 

And that was certainly the message after Cool Jakey suffered cardiac arrhythmia the previous start at Randwick, with Joe Pride telling Tycoons in the pre-race late mail, “Don’t worry about what happened last start, the horse is fine and he looks great,” how right Joe was with Cool Jakey leading all the way.

COOL JAKEY THE KING OF WARWICK FARM 050325

Cool Jakey battling to the line with Emmadella

Cool Jakey trainer Joe Pride, Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TK

Trainer Joe Pride and son Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TRL Rep TK

HIPPO FROM BARRIER TO BOX

Adam Hyeronimus was having his first sit on Cool Jakey and he rode him a treat. We joked before the race “just go to the front and improve your position” and that’s exactly what he did. 

“He jumped well and found a nice rhythm straight away, he had a nice time so I let him slide early into it at the 600metres so we did go a bit early. 

“He felt fantastic throughout the run and was doing it easily, so I did get a bit of a surprise how quickly he stopped. 

“So maybe I did go too early, but in saying that, maybe seven furlongs is his upper limit. On that effort he’ll be winning again” Jockey Adam Hyeronimus said.

JOE DELIGHTED

“That was good guys” trainer Joe Pride said, with a big smile to a large contingent of NSW Tycoons on Cool Jakey returning to scale. 

“Look it was nice to see him win on a track that wasn’t bottomless wet, it opens up a lot more opportunities for him. 

“In saying that if there was a 1400m for him in a fortnight on a Good track I would probably be reluctant to start him. We need to nurse him through it and the next month – six weeks isn’t going to be easy because it’s carnival time. 

Cool Jakey the king of Warwick Farm with NSW Tycoons

Cool Jakey in the winners circle with NSW Tycoons’ owners

WHATS NEXT – PACK YOUR BAGS

The Tycoons have been very patient with Cool Jakey and their patience has been rewarded. He is building a very nice career record which stands at only 13 starts for 5 wins and a minor placing and is now pushing the $200,000 in prize money. 

‘Jakey’ has initially pulled up well, but we all know that he is a delicate soul and has to be treated with kindness and Joe is reluctant to push him too hard too quickly. Which is fair enough. 

“We might even consider travelling him maybe to Melbourne or Brisbane for a wet track, we just need to look after him.

“He’s been a good horse for us, we will look after him and his best opportunities will come in the Winter,” Joe concluded. 

Congratulations to all NSW Tycoons and winning connections.

Go you good thing!