3 minute read
Strathlachlan Andy and Bobs Farm trainer Geoff Harding will hit the road this weekend for Sunday’s Carnival Of Cups meeting at Cootamundra.
The son of Blissfull Hall does all of his fast work on Birubi Beach but will travel more than 1180 kilometres on his return trip to the Riverina this weekend.
“All of my horses do their fast work at the beach, they can jog at home and I take the babies to the track but the majority of the time they are on the sand,” said Harding.
“Strathlachlan Andy is a good traveller so the long trip to Cootamundra won’t worry him and I will leave on Saturday so it will give us plenty of time to get there for Sunday.”
Strathlachlan Andy will compete in Cootamundra’s South West Fuel Centre Wattle Time Cup, the feature event on the eight race programme. The five year old has won seven of his last nine starts and despite drawing the back row does look hard to beat.
“There is no doubt that he is getting stronger and he has been driven more aggressively this season but he is still a better horse when he is sat up.
“James (Harding) is going to drive him again on Sunday, he has got a good record on him.”
Harding spent some time in America when James headed across to work for a leading trainer.
“When James was in the USA I went over and spent some time watching Jimmy Takter and how he trains and I have brought back some of the ideas and I think it has made an improvement to my team.
“I’m working eight at the moment and there are a couple of young ones there as well so there is enough to keep me busy.”
Harding is mindful that Strathlachlan Andy has had a long preparation and is considering a spell.
“I’ll see how he pulls up after Sunday but he is still only assessed M0 so I might take him to Queensland for a couple of races before giving him a break.
“I can then bring him up again and concentrate on racing him at Menangle in M0 races next preparation.”
Stathlachlan Andy is looking to win his fourth Carnival Of Cups event for the season after winning at Tamworth, Narrabri and Armidale and is well placed to be crowned the leading horse for the series and win his owner a further $5,000.
The South West Fuel Centre Wattle Time Cup is race seven and is scheduled to begin at 3:44pm.
