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...
Almanzor Filly Wins G1 French Oaks
Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (FR) has been firing in Europe this year with a trio of Group II winning three year-olds and one of those is high class filly Gezora, who soared to new heights overnight when taking out the Group I Prix de Diane (2100m) at Chantilly.
2023 Queensland Derby Hero Kovalica Triumphs in Q22 Thriller
Kovalica made a welcome return to winning form when he prevailed in a pulsating three-horse finish to the A$1.2 million Gr.2 HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Riverbank Going to Extremes
There’s an old saying about keeping yourself in the best of company and Victoria’s Riverbank Farm adheres to it better than most.
Wootton Bassett Stallion Wins for Aga Khan Studs
A homebred for Aga Khan Studs, four year-old Wootton Bassett stallion colt Zabiari missed virtually his entire three year-old season in which he had just one start, but is now making up for lost time and won the Group III Prix Betrand du Breuil (1600m) at Chantilly overnight.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 15
Here is the full list of 60 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO Wins Raconteur Stakes
The So You Think's are absolutely flying with no less than 33 winners in the past 30 days highlighted by his daughter You Wahng’s emphatic victory in the G1 Queensland Oaks and now another exciting three year old has appeared!
Sunshine Coast Success For Sister to Group 1 Winner
Racing at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday saw the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained For Better (Better Than Ready), a full sister to the stable’s Group 1 winner Port Lockroy break her maiden at just her third start for the stable.
Hong Kong Double for Brutal
With Hong Kong races on Saturday this week and so much going on in Brisbane it was easy to miss the action at Sha Tin with a winning double for young sire Brutal worth noting as it featured a two year-old that has now had two starts for two wins and broke 56 seconds for 1000m!
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 14
Here is the full list of 104 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Tiara Next for Flying Zoustar Mare Floozie
Bred and raced initially by Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, Zoustar mare Floozie changed hands last year and runs now for Yarraman Park, who sent her to Queensland to be trained by Tony Gollan and that decision is reaping impressive rewards.