3 minute read
If Arentee can produce a career half as outstanding as Arenti, then Chris Meagher and his long-time loyal connections will be over the moon.
The progressive galloper will this Saturday afternoon aim to book his position in the Stradbroke Handicap of 2023 by claiming The Gateway, which provides the winner direct access to Queensland's signature race next year.
If Arentee could scale the heights and grab a Group 1 in the winter of the upcoming year, he would replicate that of his namesake Arenti.
Back in 2006, the Meagher stable and their owners claimed the prized Lion City Cup with Arenti, being a feature Group 1 event in Singapore.
As well as the Lion City Cup, Arenti won nine races all up, pocketing close to $700,000 in career stakes.
Arentee races in the colours Arenti did and boasts the same owners.
After a strong last start Gold Coast victory, the team are dreaming of greater heights with their new version of "Arentee".
While the gallopers names are spelt different, they are still pronounced the same.
Much of the ownership group were living in Singapore for the now retired geldings career and have since returned to Australia to witness their new black-type hope.
"The same owners are in this bloke and they had a throw at the stumps to see if could get the same name," Meagher says.
"We did end up getting the same but just with slightly different spelling.
"They are all really excited and they have all been long term clients for over a decade.
"They are all back living in Australia now except one of them who is over in Japan.
"It is the same colours to as the other horse so that makes it even more special."
While Arentee looks to a special horse for his trainer and owners, he will also always be that way for his stable rider.
Melea Castle has ridden the four-year-old chestnut in the majority of his work and trials over the last year and last month, he provided the apprentice hoop her maiden Saturday metropolitan winner.
It was a milestone that has been a long-time coming for the 23-year-old lightweight hoop after progressing through the country and provincial circuits of the Sunshine State.
"Honestly, I was a little bit nervous as he is Chris' favourite horse and him being a good horse," Castle said.
"We drew an awkward alley but the speed was on and that took us into the race.
"I had a really nice sit behind them and I knew what I had travelling underneath me and we got him travelling a little bit earlier as he is a big horse and I wanted to get his momentum going.
"At the top of the straight I knew he was going to hit the line the way he did."
Arentee is referred to as "Terry" around the Eagle Farm stables of Meagher and he is a favourite of Castle's.
"He has a pretty quirky personality but he is a lovely horse to do anything with," Castle said.
"He has a bit of character about him.
"We get along pretty well the majority of time."
Castle notes the gelding has matured over her time riding him and thinks he will take plenty of confidence from the Gold Coast victory.
The three-time career winner has come on well from his last-start win – Meagher says – after a sluggish start to his current preparation.
The $250,000 Gateway at Eagle Farm this Saturday will see the winner book their spot in the 2023 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Queensland's marquee Group 1, the time-honoured Stradbroke Handicap, will double in prize money next year to $3 million.
Group 1-winning conditioner Meagher is not getting ahead of himself with the prize on the line this Saturday but admits to being tempted by what is on offer.
"There is a few carrots there dangling, the prize money and then being exempt from the Stradbroke," he said.
"For us, the Stradbroke is a long way away, I just him to go there and acquit himself extremely well and I think he will do that.
"It will certainly be a test as there is some nice horses in that race.
"He has improved from his Gold Coast run and he likes Eagle Farm as a track.
"We are going into the race as confident as we can be, while knowing it will be quite difficult."
Even if Arentee does not book his ticket for an elite level race this Saturday, Meagher is certain he will continue to jump up as his career progresses.
Meagher's confidence in the galloper was underlined when he stepped him up to a Listed event in the winter this year after running well in a Class 3 Plate the start prior.
"He will climb the ladder, but we are not going to rush him to do so," he said.
Top hoop Ryan Maloney has been booked for Saturday's assignment.
As of Thursday morning, Arentee is listed as a $6.50 chance to claim the 1400 metre event on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Farm.
The Meagher barn have been in red-hot form, preparing half a dozen winners from their last 10 starters.
