THE BIG GOODBYE WINS THE 2023 RAMORNIE HCP

Jul 25, 2023

The Big Goodbye crossing the line 1st to win the 2023 listed Ramornie handicap and in doing so becoming the 1st stakes winner in The Racing League

Rising 6yo gelding The Big Goodbye staved off the fast-finishing topweight Far Too Easy and defending champion Ranges in Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Ramornie Hcp (1200m) at Grafton.

Ridden by Martin Harley for Robert Heathcote, The Big Goodbye (Host) rode the early speed to defeat Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) by a half-neck with Ranges (Shooting To Win) a long-head back in third.

After beginning his career for Richard and Chantelle Jolly before joining the Heathcote stable in 2021, the son of Host (Chi) has been racing in career-best form. He came to the Ramornie following a second to Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) in the Listed WJ Healey Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 24

It was an emotional moment for stable representative Leah Kilner, a one-time regular partner of the Ramornie winner.

“He is the bravest horse I have ever ridden; he is just the best,” Kilner enthused.

“He has had a long prep, but Rob is a fantastic trainer. He knows what he is doing, and (The Big Goodbye) has a week at Washpool to get some sun on his back.

“We would love a stable full of him and big credit to the team at home who do an amazing job.”

“I’m a Grafton girl and always wanted to win a Ramornie, and I thought I would be the one on this horse. That didn’t happen, but I am here with him now, and that’s the main thing.”    

With his maiden stake’s success, The Big Goodbye advances his record to ten wins, eleven seconds and four thirds from 32 starts with earnings of $598,825.

The son of Host (Chi) was a $52,500 purchase for Neerim Lodge from the Willow Grove Stud draft at the 2019 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

The Big Goodbye is the penultimate foal of Penny Opera, who died in 2020, a couple of months after the death of Host (Chi), who left eight stakes winners headed by the charismatic dual Group 1 winner Eduardo.

“I’d give him 11 out of 10 for that ride”  Leah Kilner referring to the ride of Martin Harley onboard The Big Goodbye 

Congratulations QLD Rogues!!

Watch the race-replay here

 

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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