3 minute read
Trainer Chris Gangemi goes into Saturday’s G3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) reticent to spruik up the chances of his enigmatic gelding Notorious One.
It's easy to understand his cautiousness. The seven-year-old has not won in nearly two years and is coming off a train wreck of a Pinnacles carnival.
Notorious One is laden with natural ability, but is fraught with mental fragility that saw his introduction to racing delayed until he was a five-year-old.
Bought from Arrowfield Stud, Notorious One has been a test of patience for the Chris Gangemi stable and his host of owners since debuting three-years ago.
But racing is built on hope and Gangemi believes there might be confidence to draw on after Notorious One's performance in last fortnight's Belmont Sprint (1400m).
First-up and at tripe figure odds ($126) in the G3 event, the son of Animal Kingdom pierced his way through the field to finish a sound fourth in a bunching finish.
Beaten less than a length he only had classy three-year-olds Buster and The Velvet Queen and multiple stakes winner, Resortman ahead of him.
Buoyed by the Belmont Sprint, strong track gallops and an improved attitude, Gangemi is hoping Notorious One can follow up in the Hyperion Stakes.
"We were pretty confident he would run a big race first up," Gangemi told The Races WA.
"He really did and we're really proud of him.
"He's had a great two weeks since and hopefully he can run a big race again.
"Brandon (Louis) galloped him yesterday (Tuesday) and said it's the best he's worked this whole prep.
"All prep he's been on and his behaviour has been good, he's been switched on.
"I would like to think he can finish top three or four if he can get a half decent run."
Notorious One is $16 with TABtouch. From barrier eight he will be ridden again by Jordan Turner.
"Jordy (Turner) is going to have to cut across the back of them and try and come through them," Gangemi said.
"He's not a horse that can come down the outside really, he sort of lays over them when he does that.
"His best bet these days is to try and come through them and hopefully he can run a big race again."
Notorious One can cap a lucrative cross-code week for Gangemi.
His first foray into greyhound ownership proved a success with Kiss Me Dotty winning at Cannington on Tuesday.
First Law won first-up in a tight contest over Rock This Town at Belmont on Wednesday.
Today (Northam) the stable saluted with Crystalist in race three.
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