All roads now lead to The Valley under the spotlight of All-Star Mile Day as Irish Playboy booked his spot into the lucrative $250,000 Country Mile Series Final after his commanding win at Pakenham on Thursday night.
First-up since his stylish win at Bendigo in October before a spell, Michael Poy put on a patient display of riding to have Irish Playboy full of running at the end of the 1400 metre Club Hotel Warragul Heat 4 Country Mile.
The race series, conducted by Racing Victoria to trial the restricted use of the whip by jockeys of five or less strikes, see placegetters in the series of heats automatically qualify for the Country Mile Series Final over 1600 metres on Saturday 13 March at The Valley.
Irish Playboy will now take his place as connections eye off a lucrative payday from the four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock.
“He’s a pretty progressive horse, at least a Saturday class horse,” said Henry.
“Thurday night was just a kick-off point at the 1400 metres, he should get out to 2000 metres and potentially even further.
“He is still so new and raw and will improve from run to run and preparation to preparation,” believes Henry.
“He should be suited by the Series Final in a couple of weeks, I think Michael only struck him three times with the whip, it was pretty much him, he does it himself and wants to be a racehorse.
“He would probably be suited to a bigger track given he’s a big striding horse and he takes a while to build momentum, but a $250,000 benchmark 80 restricted to heat placegetters is a good opportunity for him to win a good prizemoney race,” said Henry.
Irish Playboy will most likely start favourite on the day and if he can handle the tight turns of The Valley and have some luck in running, connections and trainer will most likely be doing their best irish jig come Saturday night.