It only took a few words from Rodney Quinn and Skateboard was backing in the winner's circle as seen on Saturday at Canterbury in the $70,000 Thoroughbred Breeders NSW Handicap (1550m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
Skateboard's trainer Guy Walter had been setting Skateboard for sprinting events but after sitting on the gelding a few times Quinn could tell he was more suited to a mile.
“He has always seemed like he was a 1000m horse but a couple of times this time in I said to Guy I can't see it, he seems like a mile horse,” Quinn said.
Walter agreed and was more than happy to praise Quinn after the event when Skateboard proved the hypothesis right.
“I have to give Rodney a lot of credit, he put me on the right track, he believes he is not really a speed machine and he is looking for further,” Walter said.
Skateboard jumped well from a widish draw and headed straight for the lead under Quinn's urgings.
After getting cover shortly after Skateboard sat behind the leaders and then once getting clear running in the straight was hooked out by Quinn and the race was over.
The 1550m suited Skateboard right to a tea and he skipped away from his rivals over the last 150m to win comfortably.
At the line the margin was two and a quarter lengths to Acta Non Verba (Clipperton). World Wide dead-heated for second with Blake Shinn up. The overall time was 1.33.81 and the last 600m was run in 36.74.
“He was very promising early in his career then he went through a bit of a lull when he was in better company,” Walter said.
“He is flat out in those short races and doesn't travel so today may have vindicated his judgement.
“He is relatively lightly raced so now that we know a bit about him hopefully he can go on with the job.”
“It worked out good, he began good but wanted to race a little bit keen early, but when we got going he relaxed and got the nice run and was strong enough at the finish,” Quinn said.
“He is heading in the right direction and hopefully he can keep it up.”
Skateboard is by Dubleo (USA) out of All Trumped Up and is owned by Proven T'breds Syn (Mgr: A Walter), M Walcott, C Dyball, P King, D Roberts, Redbank North Syn (J Middleton), M Birch, F Holmes, S Greenaway & C Hill.
