Helideck basking in the sun
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Scott Seamer and Helideck return to scale after winning the Prime Minister’s Cup (Noel Pascoe photo)
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According to Albury trainer Brett Cavanough, Helideck has improved enormously since moving north for the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival. And he is spot on after the gelding put in a superb performance at the Gold Coast to win the Listed Carlton Draught Prime Minister’s Cup 1300m.
“He’s just improved since he’s gone up there with the weather and he just seems to have fitted in with the racing scene. It’s his time in the sun I suppose,” Cavanough said.
Ridden by Scott Seamer, Helideck (G4 Iglesia-Whirly Bird NZ) picked up his first Black Type win when he surged away from the field 100 metres from home. Two lengths back was Hard to Catch (Brad Pengelly) who flew home to finish second a nose ahead of Easy Rocker (Matthew Palmer).
Cavanough was testing the waters by backing up the gelding from a previous win at Eagle Farm a week earlier. It proved a winning test after also claiming a new track record for the run.
“The horse traditionally has been a bit soft and not backed-up but we backed him up week to week and he has run two records and he’s gone from being a non metro winner to an open handicapper,” Cavanough said.
Seamer had to drive Helideck out of the barriers after a slow start but found a nice position a couple of early leader Omnitrader.
“That was out of character but he has been mustering speed and sitting outside some sprinting horses. When Scott drove him up and from the gate and to the position that he got was a great ride and coming to the 500 metre I actually said to a few reporters ‘I wonder how big the motor is because everything is there’,” Cavanough said.
The gelding did prove he had a big engine putting a decent gap on the field in the finish to pick up a comfortable win.
“He was strong. I said that to Scott, he’s got speed and whatever you do give him a chance to let down because that’s one of his best attributes. He can come off nothing and really kick that horse.”
Cavanough will look towards Group 3 Darley BTC Sprint 1350m, the Group 1 Carlton Draught Doomben 10,000 1350m and the Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke Handicap 1400m with Helideck this winter.
“It would be outrageous if he was able to win the next one whether it is the Sprint or 10,000 then go onto the Stradbroke,” he said.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – May 6 |
