Apprentice Damien Thornton won’t being changing his tactics on problem colt Time For War and will be looking to set the pace again in the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Damien Thornton is hoping Time For War will be on his best behaviour in the Sires'. Photo by Steve Hart.
Thornton has had two rides on Time For War for two wins with the Gerald Ryan trained youngster going into Saturday’s race undefeated after winning over 1100m at Rosehill on November 2 and then leading all the way to win the Group 2 $175,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 29.
“I think the 1400m will really suit him. I’d be happy to lead at 1400m he should be able to relax better in the run,” Thornton told the Sportsman.
Apart from being unbeaten from his two race starts, the Snitzel colt has grabbed plenty of attention because of his unruly behaviour that has given Ryan plenty of headaches to date.
Time For War, with Nash Rawiller in the saddle, certainly came under the notice of the stewards before the running of the Group 2 $175,000 Hyland Race Colours Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 15 when the colt reared and got both forelegs over the front gates and then over the partition before getting down in the stalls.
Stewards had no choice but to scratch Time For War and ordered Ryan to barrier trial the colt before being allowed to continue his Autumn Carnival campaign.
Ryan searched through the gear bag and came away with a barrier blanket, a set of pacifiers and a browband with Time For War responding to the additional gear with a second in a Rosehill barrier trial on March 21 before going on to win the Pago Pago Stakes.
But Time For War still has more improvement to be made after being a little wayward in the straight at his last start when he was able to beat Kumaon and Klammer.
Ryan has no qualms about sticking with his apprentice in the Group 1 Sires’ and is reluctant to split up a winning combination.
“Why would I take him off, he’s won two from two on him and the day we put Nash Rawiller on him he didn’t get into the gates,” Ryan said.
Thornton appreciates the opportunity to be on a live chance in a Group 1 race and is hoping that Time For War will be on his best behaviour.
“If he goes straight he will be very hard to get past but no matter what he does he will be hard to beat,” Thornton said.
“It’s an opportunity not a lot of apprentices get and I am grateful for it. I will be doing my best to get across the line first.’
“He doesn’t help himself but is still getting across the line first.”
Time For War is one of four runners Ryan will saddle up in the Sires’ and is the longest price of his quartet at $8 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
Stablemates Believe Yourself and Peggy Jean share the top spot in the market order at $4 ahead of Kumaon at $6 with Ryan’s other runner Lucky Raquie marked as a $7 chance.
