Swords Drawn For Semi Success

12 August 2010
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Cuttheattitude is one of two Felicity Gallagher-trained youngsters engaged in Breeders Crown semi-finals

Cuttheattitude is one of two Felicity Gallagher-trained youngsters engaged in Breeders Crown semi-finals

Glenn Freeman could be forgiven for indulging in a sense of self-satisfaction given he enters tomorrow night's Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown semi-finals with the only undefeated juvenile horse in the entire series.

But as that horse - gifted Bettors Delight gelding Sword And Pistol - is also the least experienced pacer in the series you can comprehend the Undera trainer's conservative attitude
"I never thought he'd make a two-year-old, you know," the boutique trainer admitted. "I'd always expected to have to wait until he was three, so everything that's happening right now is really a bonus.
"He's just a big kid at the moment, a big gangly kid, so we're not getting ahead of ourselves. We're just happy to be in the race."
There was ample evidence to support Freeman's assertions that the gelding is still learning his trade when he got lost on the turn and appeared beaten before rallying to upstage class pair Attackamach and Ronald George in his heat.
But the fact he was able to overcome his immaturity and qualify for the semis left his trainer with a sense of genuine optimism.
"He's facing horses here who've been around a bit and they've got ring craft," he said.
"You only had to watch his heat win, where he didn't know to sprint with them and only got to work once they entered the straight, to see he's got a lot to learn.
"But Chris (Alford, driver) was always confident he'd get there that day and that gives me confidence, because I know how strong he is and now I know he's got the speed to match it with them as well."

Having drawn to trail brilliant Kiwi invader Our Major Mark from gate nine, in semi number two, at 9.12pm, there is no reason to believe Freeman's magical ride must end this week but the trainer is philosophical about the chance of missing out on the $308,000 final that is one of nine Group 1s at Tabcorp Park on Sunday, August 22.
"It's such a buzz just to be here, to win a heat, I couldn't even explain it," he said.
"To me, running fifth on Friday (to qualify for the final) would be like winning, but even if he doesn't make the final it's no big deal. He'll be back a better horse next year no matter what happens."
In the other heat for the two-year-old boys, boom Victorian colt Royal Verdict faces arguably his toughest test with an assignment against Excel Stride, General Bronski, High Five Mozza and Blackjack Bromac at 8.12pm. 


Gallagher Gambling On Right Attitudes
No juvenile filly has had a longer season than Sheezallattitude, but Felicity Gallagher is hoping she's got two more big performances in her.
Tonight, the daughter of Art Major continues her quest for a spot in the $308,000 Group 1 Tabcorp Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Final via a semi-final at Melton's Tabcorp Park.
She has an awkward inside-back-row draw and some of Australasia's best fillies to contend with in the 10.14pm second semi, including gun local Lively Moth, but Gallagher is confident her star filly still has something left to give.
And given that the Menangle-based speedster's 1:57.2 heat success over 2300 metres, broke a world mark there is plenty to suggest she's right.
"She has done a fair bit and while she has been around since pretty much the beginning of the season, I'd still like to think she's got something left in the tank," Gallagher said.
"She did run a world record at her last start.  I know she didn't win by much but they don't pay you any more prizemoney depending on how far you win by.
"You can't do much better than run a world record, so we think she's ticking along very nicely."
Such confidence augurs well for the gun filly approaching the 2240-metre semi final that will decide her fate in the series.
But Friday night is less likely to be about heroics than pragmatism for Gallagher as she endeavours to also qualify stablemate Cuttheattitude for the $188,000 three-year-old colts and geldings' decider, also on August 22.
"The priority really, in a series like this, is to make the final, " Gallagher said. "Making the final is the ultimate goal and then you worry about trying to beat the best of the best when the time comes, that's really how we look at it."
Cuttheattitude has draw the back row (nine) for the 9.42pm second semi-final, in which Kiwi stars Courage To Rule and Smiling Shard are also engaged, but Gallagher has learned to become circumspect regarding barriers.
"This season we've had some really great draws and they've done us no favours at all," she laughed.
"So I'm just looking at it in a positive light no matter where we draw.  We'll just make the most of what we've got."

 

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