Flemington trainer goes round the bend

Darryl Sherer - Wednesday August 9

Flemington trainer Steve Richards is confident a return to racing around a bend will see Knowable bounce back on his home track on Saturday.

Advertisement
Steve Richards. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Knowable resumed at Flemington on July 22 over 1100m and Richards said the straight course and the way the race was run resulted in what looks a plain effort on paper.

"They went real slow early and he got up over racing which was not ideal," Richards said.

"Under the circumstances to be beaten 3 1/2-lengths behind Hay Bale and Tahi was not a bad effort under the circumstances and he'll be a lot better around a bend on Saturday."

Knowable scored over 1400m at Flemington in January before finishing third to Oak Door in the Group III Autumn Stakes at Caulfield.

One of 52 nominations for the BM70 Handicap over 1400m, Richards says the step up in trip on Saturday is also a major positive for the son of Hinchinbrook.

"The trip is right up his alley, he's not really built to be a sprinter, he's got length about him and there's a bit of stamina on his dam side," Richards said.

"He's an on pace runner and he can hold a position so I'm confident he can get out over even a bit further later on.

"We've booked Chris Caserta to ride. He'll take three (kilograms) off his back which brings the horse in well and Chris came over last week to ride the horse."

Knowable has pleased Richards on the track since his first-up run but is concerned about one factor beyond his control.

"With the rail out 10 metres on Saturday I really want a single figure barrier," Richards said. "The 1400(m) start is difficult enough and a wide gate is not something you want.

"Everything about the race on Saturday is right for him and I think he's up to them so we just need some luck with the barrier draw."

Advertisment
More Reading...
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Windsor Park Delighted with First SW Circus Maximus
Promising youngster Towering Vision crowned a successful couple of days for Windsor Park Stud when he credited resident sire Circus Maximus with his first Southern Hemisphere black-type winner.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
Magic Millions Off-The-Track Cup Prizemoney Increases to $100,000
Magic Millions co-owner, Katie Page-Harvey and Queensland Off-The-Track Chair, Dr Christine Johnson today confirmed the prizemoney pool for the 2026 QOTT Cup will increase to $100,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
Campionessa Retired - How Much for the G1 Winning Mare?
Group One-winning mare Campionessa has been retired from racing and will be offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale later this month.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
A busy set of trials at Randwick this morning saw Group I winning stallion Schwarz win a heat in good style in preparation for a Queensland trip, while on the juvenile front there were also a couple of carnival aspirants.
Growing Empire Retires to Yulong and Fee Set
One of the most exciting colts of his generation, Growing Empire, will join Yulong Stud’s stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season.