Ysmael is one of the outsiders in the Group 1 $750,000 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday but owner Rowen Langridge is just happy to have him in the field.
Angelic Light is the favourite for the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Langridge took a gamble when he and partner Tammy Waller paid $5000 at a tried horse sale for Ysmael, knowing that the horse was carrying an injury.
But Langridge and Waller were happy to test their rehabilitation methods on the Bel Esprit gelding and went ahead with Protein Rich Plasma treatment along with old father time to repair the suspensory ligament injury.
“He showed a lot of ability as a young horse so we just decided to take a punt on him,” Langridge told the thewest.com.au.
“Tammy used the PRP and she has a few theories on how to work them on hard ground and up and down hills.”
Ysmael was away from the race track for eighteen months but under the care of leading Perth trainer Adam Durrant the seven year old returned for a first up second over 1200m at Belmont on August 16.
And two runs later he was able to win over 1000m at Belmont before running second again at the same track at his next start.
Ysmael was back in the winner’s stall last Saturday at Ascot with a one and a half lengths victory in a BenchhMark 72+ Handicap over 1200m which prompted his owners to test him out in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.
Langridge admits that he has set Ysmael a tough task taking on Group 1 company but is just happy to soak up the atmosphere of the biggest race day of the Festival Of Perth Racing Carnival.
“There are a lot of good horses in the race and we know where we’re at,” Langridge said.
Ysmael is rated a $51 chance for the Winterbottom Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au and will be ridden by apprentice Joseph Azzopardi.
The Robbie Griffiths trained Angelic Light remains the favourite at $3 ahead of Peter Moody’s Moment Of Change at $4.20 and $7 chance Sidestep from the Godolphin stable.
Local sprinter Magnifisio is next in the market order at $8 ahead of Shining Knight at $11, Bel Sprinter at $12 and Eclair Big Bang ay $15.
