Expected Success
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Art Success NZ and Michael Palmer get to the front for the win (Noel Pascoe photo) |
The Group 1 winning Art Success (NZ) found another win in the Velocity Sports Handicap 2200m on Saturday, February 23.
Since resuming in December, this is the gelding’s first win since his Black Type accomplishments in the 2006 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival. Art Success (G6 Pentire GB-Zabellett NZ) claimed the Group 1 Brisbane Cup 3200m as well as the Group 3 XXXX Gold Chairman’s Handicap 2020m before that.
Trainer John Collins expected the gelding to run well in the race. “It was his fourth run and he had one run over ground. Being a six-year-old going from 1400 to 2100 at his last start, he was always going to improve, especially going onto a good track. We probably would have been very disappointed had he gotten beaten,” he said.
Jumping from the outside barrier at City Pacific Doomben, Art Success hesitated slightly at the start and drifted to the rear as they went past the winning post the first time. The back was where he remained, through the 1000m, right up to the home turn. With apprentice jockey Michael Palmer aboard, he gradually moved up on the outside before beginning a flying run at the 100m to finish over the top off them all.
Collins said being at the back was the plan. “Looking at the race, there seemed to be a lot of speed on paper which was going to suit him. It panned out that way. He’s a funny horse. He can only run one way, if he jumps well he can be reasonably mid field, at best. Or if he doesn’t jump well, he’s usually at the back door,” he said.
It was a successful race for Collins with Art Success’ stablemate Devastating (Jim Byrne) following in second by one and a half lengths.
$2.40 race favourite Grand Laddie (Jason Taylor) had a good run but settled for third by a half a head.
Collins was always confident in Art Success. “He raced right through the spring in a strong grade. Then when he came up here during the winter he had a problem with his back and he had two runs and then we put him out. This was his fourth run. I don’t think there’s been too much wrong with him but it’s just the way it looks.”
“We would have been pretty disappointed if he couldn’t win that race two over the limit. We probably would have thought he’s lost a leg somewhere,” he said.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – January 25
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