The Warrnambool Carnival awaits for Riding High after a dominant win in the Tobin Bronze BM58 Handicap at Werribee has the seven-year-old cherry ripe for an assault over the jumps.
But first on the agenda is an assignment at Pakenham, where a win in the M.J. Bourke Hurdle would be the perfect tonic before heading west for the famous three-day Carnival.
Damien Thornton rode a patient ride on the gelding to have him pop out at the perfect time to run over the top of them, with his fitness telling in the closing stages of the 2600 metre race.
“He was great today,” said Thornton.
“He jumped well and we were able to find a nice spot behind the leaders and he travelled really well throughout, and I felt we had them covered a fair way out.
“I didn’t want to press the button too early and hit the front, it was nice to see him win again today after racing well at the picnics without winning… good luck over the jumps.”
The jumps is exactly where he is heading,
“He was terrific today, he got a lovely run behind them as we predicted from the speed map and the gate, Damien rode him beautifully and popped off the fence and showed a good turn of foot to dash away from them pretty easily in in the end,” said Henry.
“If the race was run any longer, you would think he would have won by even further and it was a really good trial for getting over two miles in a couple of week’s time with a few obstacles in front of him.”
Riding High will now head to the Cranbourne hurdle trials before tackling the M.J. Bourke Hurdle over 3200 metres on April 18 at Pakenham, the same track and distance he won his maiden hurdle over a year ago.
Clayton Douglas has been booked to ride Riding High, with the plan to head to the Bool after the run at Pakenham.