3 minute read
There's likely to be scant regard opposing TAB Highway heavyweights at Rosehill Gardens for a two-horse veteran with his initial city starter and a rookie Gulgong apprentice, rarely in town.
But confidence abounds on Saturday for former jockey Brian Walker, 78, and rider Ben Osmond as they continue their association with impressive dual Newcastle winner Classic Dreamer at lengthy odds in the TAB $120,000 Highway Class 2, 1400m.
A tough survivor and breaker, Cessnock's Walker was keen to elaborate why Classic Dreamer is in the race from tail tip to ears despite the $14 TAB odds.
"He's won two easy, ran time, drops 3kg in weight and is drawn to lead," Walker stressed.
"He was allocated topweight for a reason, that Newcastle form is as good as any in the race.
"He's still untapped, the kid [Ben Osmond] has won twice on him, they relate and it's still only a country Class 2.
"What this horse does is keep finding when he's put under pressure, and he'll do that again on Saturday," spoken with the nouse of an ex-jockey.
Vitally Classic Dreamer's 59.5kg is reduced by Ben's 3.5kg claim as he settles into an apprenticeship with Newcastle's prolific Kris Lees stable.
Brian who still rides work, with his wife Sandra rising 60, is anything but a city newcomer.
Decades ago, Brian was apprenticed to top Sydney trainers the late Albert McKenna and "Silent" Leo O'Sullivan at Royal Randwick and rode numerous city winners.
"Rode my share and the competition was as tough now as it was back then; I rode against George Moore and Athol Mulley, as good as there's ever been and TJ Smith, Bart (Cummings) and Jack Denham were in their prime.
"Been my life, I stay involved just with a couple at my age, but I went to Sydney for the jockeys' re-union the other day, was fantastic.
"But guarantee not many will know my dial in the enclosure on Saturday, Ben the same," he chuckled.
Ben, apprenticed to Kris Lees, has ridden sparingly in town but booted home a $21 winner (Cheerful Legend) on the Kensington Track yesterday for trainer Nathan Doyle.
Over to Lees: "Ben is a very capable young rider, great attitude and work ethic.
"Being a tall kid, he struggles a bit with weight, but the opportunities will come with that maximum claim."
Classic Dreamer is wide in the betting against runners from the Dunn, Singleton, Seib and Lundholm stables.
Brian was given Classic Dreamer to train by prominent breeder Phil Cater (Classic Park Bloodstock).
"We've been mates for a lot of years, I've been involved with this horse since he was a foal, he was withdrawn from the yearling sales. He's developed into a pretty smart racehorse."
In early markets Matt Dunn with a phenomenal winning Highway strike rate has the $3.60 favourite Take The Kitty, ahead of Scott Singleton's Melody Again ($4.60).
At present "The Gardens" is a Soft 5 with the slight chance of a shower on Saturday afternoon.
