Hot Spring Returns

Jan 24, 2024

Hot Spring Gold is back

Now that was more like the Hot Spring Gold the Qld Rogues know and love; after all, he has delivered FOUR memorable victories for owners and been a big part of the Rogue’s success.

On paper the result doesn’t quite tell the true tale, pardon the pun.

It reads that he finished 5th behind a pretty impressive winner in the Richard and Will Freedman-trained On The Lead, but in reality, the run was a sign of plenty of good times to come.

Helluva Barty Racing at Doomben on 28th Oct 2023

FARCE AT THE START

This may be unfair criticism, but it seems to take an age to load horses in Brisbane and the races are often late.

That was the case again on Saturday.

After being forced to stand in the barrier for close to four minutes as attendants failed to load the favourite, ‘Hot Spring’ missed the start badly and found himself last in the Benchmark 90 over 1200m which was Race 9 at Eagle Farm.

Jockey Robbie Dolan wasn’t making excuses, but the delay didn’t help.

“We stood in the barrier for much longer than he needs because he’s always anxious in the stalls. So that didn’t help and we jumped awkwardly and found ourselves last in the field.

“In fairness to him, his best work was his last furlong and also through the line.

Bellinger in the stalls pre-race at Bendigo

“What I really liked was the way he hit the line”  Trainer Chris Munce

Hot Spring Gold Racing

BLINKERS ON

There’s no doubt the blinkers switched on your horse.

What does that mean? Simply put the blinkers narrowed his focus and improved his concentration and racing manners.

“Once he straightened he seemed to knuckle down and have a real crack with the blinkers on,” Robbie said.

SECTIONALS WERE GOOD

While winning is always the best outcome, owners would be happy to know that Hot Spring Gold ran the second fastest final 600, 400 and 200m, only the winner On The Lead was better and only fractionally so.

“What I really liked was the way he hit the line and I think we are back on the right track with him and those blinkers will stay on.” Munce said.

VIEW SECTIONAL DATA

“His best work was his last furlong.”  Jockey Robbie Dolan

WHAT’S NEXT

Finding the right race is never easy but Chris will search the program and look for a similar grade race over 1400m at Eagle Farm or the Sunshine Coast.

 “Look he did pull up well. We are on track with him, we just have to find the right race for him and I’m sure we aren’t too far off from another win.” Munce concluded.

As always the stable will keep you up to date with where Hot Spring Gold appears next.

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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!

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