Trainer Gordon Richards
Gordon Richards has been shocked at how easily Stimulatte has won his past two races and he hopes he will complete a hat-trick at Morphettville Parks this afternoon.
Stimulatte has been dominant in his past two starts, winning by a combined margin of 8.7 lengths and is on the quick back-up.
The Morphettville trainer insists there is no magic trick, just a combination of factors coming together at the right time.
“It’s a bit of everything – getting up to the right distance, having him fit enough and Josh (Cartwright) riding him accordingly,” Richards said. “He’s taken a while to strike his form so we’ll try to pick them up when we can.”
Richards says the four-year-old doesn’t want much further than 2000m and is looking towards a race like next month’s Strathalbyn Cup as his main goal.
But he’s continuing to work through the grades and this is his toughest test to date.
Cartwright, who has been on board for both of Stimulatte’s wins, takes the ride again and will be positive from barrier 10.
“Both races probably weren’t that strong, but he didn’t just win, he won them easily,” Richards said. “This is a lot stronger but he could possibly do the same thing.
“He’s done well since his last run, he’s drawn poorly, but he’ll go forward and it shouldn’t worry him too much.”
Bookmakers agree, with TattsBet installing Stimulatte as a $1.80 favourite, with Frost Dodger ($3.40) and Langridge Street ($7) the only other runners under double figures.
It’s a big day for Richards, who will saddle up five runners.
Outside of Stimulatte, he gives promising three-year-old Black Caesar the best chance.
“He’s a horse that’s learning all the time,” he said. “His third behind Lord Aspen was pretty good and I think he’s a horse with a bit of a future. I expect him to go really well.”
Article by Tom Biddington Sourced from The Advertiser Dec 19 2014
