3 minute read
The TAB Highway series, rising in status every season, invariably reveals intriguing anecdotes and none more so than Valiant.
He's a $1.6 million yearling who won on debut for the Snowdens. He disappeared for two long years before making a comeback as a six-year-old, a modest $11,000 purchase, for Murwillumbah's Steve Wise .
The impeccably bred I Am Invincible progeny won in late November of 2018, went amiss, was spelled then sold and gelded.
After another long break, Valiant resumed encouragingly to win at the Gold Coast and Lismore when connections hoped for a slot in The Kosciuszko.
However Valiant had to be turned out again and then failed at lengthy odds at Doomben and Eagle Farm. So over to the trainer for Saturday's assignment in a Royal Randwick $100,000 Class 3 (1000m) with 59kg for Matthew Palmer.
"Just never-ending problems, initially knee and throat surgery with us; the Snowdens moved him on, advised he was going to take extended time," Wise explains.
"Those big stables don't persevere with high-risk horses with their numbers of city graders.
"But it doesn't necessarily mean the horse is finished. We won two races with him after all the time off.
"We had him gelded, took him to the Shepparton Equine Clinic and were assured after the surgeries he was still a racing proposition. But he couldn't be over raced, he need extended time.
"I've only got a few in work so it was about patience. Been a struggle though, I'd have him right and something minor would set him back again.
"He's get hoof infections with all the wet weather. Look, he's 90 per cent right and that might be good enough for a Class 3.
"The 59kg and three wins suggests he's the best horse in this grade. And Matthew (Palmer) is coming all this way for one ride. He rode him winning a barrier trial in September when we were hoping for a slot in The Kosciuszko.
"Matthew would have a full book at the meetings up here on Saturday. We're coming down Wednesday evening to give him every chance to settle in."
Barrier 12 before scratchings doesn't faze Steve, who originally teamed with his sister Denise in the Riverina.
"He's got the speed fresh to get across and 'possie', likely we'll come in a couple of barriers. There's always scratchings from these Highways when it's a capacity field and reserves,'' he said.
"He trialled really well in heavy conditions up here on Tuesday, so it's ideal if there's more rain."
The race is a deep support to a booming Villiers Day at headquarters where the new Winx Stand is pure theatre and excitement.
In early markets, in a wide betting race, Valiant is double figure odds.
