3 minute read

ASTUTE trainer Michael Trinder believes new arrival to his stables Possession could prove to be a worthy acquisition to his stable following the gelding’s last stride win in the Thai Imperial Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1650m in Devonport last Sunday.

Possession was the medium of a strong betting plunge, firming from $16 to start an $8 chance.

"The horse started out with Patrick Payne in Victoria and his first three starts were excellent, but his form thereafter deteriorated shockingly," Michael Trinder said.

"Patrick (Payne) had no opinion of the horse so he told the owners to move him on but Bob Charley was keen to keep him, and he chose to send him to me with the view that he might develop into a hurdler."

Charley is one of Australian racing's most revered administrators, with his accomplishments in the industry rewarded this month when he was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

"He has been with me a while and his trackwork has been excellent, so much so that he works better than Toorak Affair (Trinder's former Group 3 winner) ever worked.

"I thought he could win first-up and had no luck, but he has got the result we wanted, albeit by a very small margin."

Possession (Daniel Ganderton) settled worse than midfield on the rails and travelled kindly to the 800m where the rider began to urge the gelding forward.

Endured claimed the leaders in the home straight and despite trying to lay in, looked set to win but under strong riding from Ganderton, Trinder's grey gelding powered home and grabbed victory in the last stride.

"Daniel (Ganderton) said he wasn't happy between horses, so he is obviously better suited when he can get clean air.

"We will see how far he goes in the coming months, but he might make a good jumper."