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After a phone call from champion bush hoop Greg Ryan trainer Richard Clarke had little hesitation targeting the $20,000 Sky Channel Orange Gold Cup (2100m) with Granite Bluff.
“Greg was looking to see if we were running Granite Bluff in the cup and was pretty keen to ride him,” Braidwood-based Clarke revealed. “After talking with him, I'm happy to be there.”
Dubbo-based Ryan is considered a keen judge when selecting mounts, particularly in feature races.
The record breaking multiple Australian, NSW and NSW country jockey premiership winners record speaks for itself.
Ryan was aboard Granite Bluff when an impressive 5-¼ length winner of a Benchmark 70 handicap over 1600m at Dubbo on February 28 two starts back.
Matthew Cahill partnered the four-year-old when beaten a half neck by Price Raheed last start over 1800m at Cowra on March 21.
Granite Bluff was purchased by Clark and his family as a yearling from trainer Rick Worthington.
He is raced by Clarke, his wife Jill, son Luke and his wife Koco and the Clarke's other son, Tom.
He was trialled as a two-year-old but because he was “still big and gangly,” Clarke gave the son of Marechal further time to develop.
“This is really only his second preparation,” Clarke said. “He's continued to grow and strengthen.
“His form this time in has been good.
“I've been trying this preparation to try him over a bit of distance.
“He ran a class record when winning at Dubbo with Greg (Ryan) up then last time things didn't really work out.
“He had to make a 650 metre run and his run just petered right near the post so we were still none the wiser if he'd get 2000 metres and beyond.
“I guess that's the big question on Sunday - can he ran out the 2100 metres.
“I think he can, Greg does too.
“He's very fit and settles well in his races. I really can't see a problem but you never know until they get it (the distance).”
Clarke said Granite Bluff's work since Cowra had been spot on.
“He's an easy horse to do anything with,” he added. “His work has been excellent.
“I reckon this is the best he's been.”
Clarke nominated topweight Voltabolta, trained by Lee Curtis, as the horse to beat.
Last year's winner Canterdown lines up again with 2kg claiming apprentice Kacie Chater aboard.
