An unusual $1000 cash side bet between owner-breeder Col Richards and trainer Anthony Honess hinges on the performance of Melbourne Billy at Taree on Sunday.
The three-year-old, owned by Gainsborough Lodge, managed by Richards and prepared by Coffs Harbour-based Honess, aims for back-to-back wins in the Saxby’s Ginger Beer Country Plate over 1270m.
“I’ve had a $1000 bet with the boss. The money is being held by a third party,” the young up and coming trainer said. “He thinks Melbourne Billy needs 1200-odd metres, I reckon he wants another 1000-metre race before stepping up in distance.
“Col pays the bills and he’s won out stepping up in distance on Sunday. Col thinks I’m mad; I’ve told him ‘he’s mad',” Honess said. “It will be interesting to see what happens,” he chuckled.
Melbourne Billy was at the centre of an Australia-wide plunge when winning by three lengths on debut over 1012m on his home track on November 30. The gelding by American stallion Henny Hughes was officially backed from $6 to $2.10 favouritism.
“I thought he was stone-living certainty that day that’s why we backed him as we did,” Honess said. “He beat nothing though. The form from the race has been ordinary but he won and won well.”
Honess revealed Melbourne Billy, purchased from a Melbourne yearling sale, took time to recover.
“It flattened him for about ten days,” Honess said. “I had to back right off him. He's had no saddle on him at all. Since he’s picked up, he’s worked good.
“He’s only small, that’s his biggest downfall. He always showed us something but I haven’t done much with him because of his size. He’s the sort of horse you wouldn’t fancy on looks.”
Despite his small stature, Honess has a good opinion of Melbourne Billy.
“He’s a nice horse, a horse with ability,” he added. “Sunday will be his acid test. There are a couple in the race with form like Neil Godbolt’s horse (Al Nova) who has won three races.
“Very few horses win a Class 1 straight after winning their maiden. After tomorrow we can see where he’s at, get a good gauge on him.
“In one way I hope I’m wrong with the bet, I’d love to see him win, but against that I’d love to get Col’s cash.”
