3 minute read

“Happy horses try” according to Capricorn Park trainer Rob Potter, and that’s no better demonstrated than through the deeds of his promising Zariz gelding Murraguldrie.

Murraguldrie blitzed an Orange CL3 field over a mile two runs back, and then took out a BM67 at Canterbury last start, doing it against all odds.

Potter, who just a handful in work at the magnificent Capricorn Park property just outside Canberra, says Murraguldrie “… is a lovely horse and he just keeps getting better.

“He’ll go back to Canterbury on 16 December probably over 1900m and then we will play it by ear,” he says.

“I have only had him for seven runs and he loves it here on the farm and is thriving.

“Happy horses try. And the way you tell that is by the way they eat and their general demeanour. He is a big horse, but he uses the yard and his paddock and his weight stays constant.

“I think his ideal distance is a mile.

“I just couldn’t believe his turn of foot at Orange. He exploded and was just a tick off the track record and broke the class record — and was just cantering.

“We didn’t see that finish at Canterbury over the 1900m, because he was deep the whole way. But it was an amazing run. He hit that gale force wind and just kept coming.

“If we can get nice cover over 1900m -2000m next start, we might see that turn of foot again.”

Potter’s Lonhro mare Secret Lies resumed at Gosford earlier in the month and ran second to a smart horse.

“On paper she looks like a 1000m horse, but she is a 5yo mare fully matured and I am pretty sure we will get her out to 1200m.

“I was really happy with the run and she will go to Canterbury on Wednesday week as well.”

Potter has two runners engaged in Tuesday’s (8 December) Orange meeting, and believes both will race well.

“Supa Vision (Race 5) had 12 months off. He won a race at Canberra by panels in March last year, but didn’t come up his next preparation.

“We had him checked out and we found a back issue and I think he’s now back to his best.

“I was going to step him up to 1200m, but they go quick at Orange and we will be right on their heels off the rails gate.

“At his last start (at Orange 20 November) he was four wide the whole way and was only beaten 2.5 lengths in a similar race.

“Being just second-up off a long break, he had a really good blow and on Saturday worked extra well. So he is going to be right in it.”

“My other horse, Hosier Lane (Race 7) is flying. He’s up in grade a bit, but we have got him down in the weights

“He was beaten last start at Canberra by Melberra Star and was a touch unlucky getting to within a length of her.

“He is up to 1300m, which will suit and is happy and looks magnificent. He has never gone better, and if he gets a clean run I think he will go really well.”

Potter says these are the four horses he has currently racing and has another four youngsters yet to face the starter, including a Lonhro and a Makfi.

“We are looking to grow the stable. I run it hands-on with my wife and son and our horses are performing and that’s the best advertisement you can have.

“We spell at lot of horses and have a lovely big track here and the horses flourish in the country environment.

“I take the horses to Canberra once a week to gallop, but really, we have it all at Capricorn Park.”