A slashing midweek track gallop has boosted trainer Ron Quinton’s confidence for his talented mare Irish Dream heading into Saturday’s Warwick Farm meeting.
Trainer Ron Quinton's confidence Irish Dream was boosted by their midweek track gallop. Photo by: Steve Hart
Quinton has two mare’s representing the stable in the Listed $100,000 Toy Show Quality (1300m) and while he doesn’t expect Crafty Irna to surprise, the former top jockey would be disappointed if Irish Dream didn’t figure in the finish.
“Irish Dream has had a nice freshen up since her last run over 1600m, she maybe raced a touch flat on the day even though she only got beaten a length,” Quinton said.
“Gee I was pleased with her work on Tuesday morning, she really worked well on the course proper.”
Chris Munce is the new jockey for Irish Dream, replacing Glyn Schofield who was on the mare when she won the Listed $100,000 Tabsportsbet Winter Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on July 14 as well as when fourth in the Listed $100,000 Share Care Winter Challenge (1600m) at Warwick Farm on July 28.
Irish Dream is one of four rides premiership jockey Chris Munce has picked up at Warwick Farm tomorrow.
Munce agreed to ride in Sydney when Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton decided to test his top galloper Bold Glance against better company in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m).
Bold Glance has shown in the past that he is capable of handing the big stage with a gallant third to Sacred Choice in last year’s Group 1 $2m Emirates Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 16 when ridden by Scott Seamer.
Munce will also be aboard Norocos for Hilton in the Listed $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m) and Gary Portelli’s smart filly Single Style in the Group 3 $125,000 Coolmore Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).
Quinton is also looking for a bold showing from Monton even though the handicapper has caught up with the six year old and has asked him to carry the topweight of 60.5kg in the Listed $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m).
Top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman has taken the ride on the Catbird gelding after getting a feel of him in a recent Randwick barrier trial.
Quinton is not too concerned with the weight Monton has been asked to carry and said these days with the minimum at 54kg, it isn’t like in days gone by when the minimum weights were much lighter.
“I don’t get bogged down on weights too much, he’s a big strong horse and I don’t think that it will be a bother to him,” Quinton said.
“I think we get a little bit paranoid about the weights horses have to carry particularly now with the spread of weights, it’s not like it used to be in the old days.”
“Years ago horses used to carry weights a lot and the minimum used to be a lot lower, so I’m not too perturbed about it.”
Monton who is a Group 2 winner on two occasions, took out the 2010 $200,000 Schweppes Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill and last year’s $175,000 Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
But he is certain to be tested against Peter Moody’s promising four year old Moment Of Change who is resuming after winning over 1400m at Caulfield in April.
