By Nick Berney
Could the brave win by The Englishman last start be the making of him as he looks to go back-to-back at Wyong on Thursday in a class 1 and maiden plate over 2100m?
The three-year-old surged to the line to break his maiden status at Kembla Grange 15 days ago and did it in style.
Chad Schofield will again be aboard The Englishman at Wyong after helping the gelding break through a fortnight ago at Kembla.Credit: Getty
The clock backed up his late visual dominance with the relatively lightly-raced galloper clocking one of the meeting’s fastest final 200m splits.
To add further merit to his performance, he was unsuited to the sit/sprint race shape, but once balanced showed his true potential to pick up his rivals.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained galloper’s ratings/sectional profile suggests he can only improve off that effort, and the rise in distance is ideal.
Jockey Chad Schofield must contend with a tricky draw, but he has multiple options with the gelding’s versatility.
Chris Waller saddles up a consistent performer in Thornycroft, who was sharply up in distance last start at Gosford and presents as a leading danger. The gelding was slightly held up at a crucial stage near the turn, but once his rider switched off heels and got him into clear air, he hit the line well.
He is ready to peak fourth-up over more ground and maps to have all favours with strong rider Brett Prebble engaged.
Punters quickly snapped up the early odds on offer about the Anthony Cummings-trained Reginald in the final event. The four-year-old, who lines up in a benchmark 64 handicap over 1600m, looks well placed.
He was honest in defeat last start a fortnight ago at this track/distance, ran on hard into second, and recorded slick closing splits relative to the day. Moreover, he gets multiple factors his way with a favourable map and senior jockey Josh Parr rides for the first time.
Kozluca’s first-up run had hidden merit where he had too much to do over an unsuitable distance. The five-year-old got too far back in a moderate tempo, had to make a long wide, sustained run and flashed home.
Watch for him to be strong late, and he represents value.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
