Last year’s Galaxy runner-up Thankgodyou’rehere will be out to avenge his 2011 defeat this Saturday when he lines up the in $350,000 Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
The Patrick and Wayne Webster-trained gelding will be returning from a spell after a promising spring campaign that saw him score two placings and one victory from five starts.
Thankgodyou'rehere is looking to go one better in The Galaxy this year - photo (c) Steve Hart
Among the achievements was a runner-up finish to Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim in the Group 3 Tab.com.au Stakes last start, a result that has filled Patrick Webster with confidence.
“I was pretty happy when he ran second to Woorim who I’ve always thought was a good horse and looks an even better horse now,” Webster said.
Webster said he was pleased with the six-year-old’s preparation and believes he is a much-improved horse to the one that ran second by three lengths to Atomic Force last year.
“I’m very happy with him and looking forward to the race,” he said.
“We have learned a lot about him over the past year and we are looking to take him to Queensland again.”
Coming back from a spell should not be a problem for Thankgodyou’rehere who has won twice and finished second on another two occasions in five first-up efforts.
With rain predicted in Sydney throughout the week, a wet track is expected at the famous Sydney racecourse on Saturday but Webster is not concerned at the prospect of damp conditions.
“He ran second on a heavy 10 last year and I didn’t think he would handle it,” Webster said.
A total of 24 horses were yesterday nominated for the Group 1 event which is set to be reduced to 14 when the final field is named tomorrow.
Included in nominations are highly-rated gelding Bel Sprinter, Coolmore Classic winner Ofcourseican and Gai Waterhouse gelding Nobby Snip who is chasing a fourth consecutive victory.
“I was pretty happy when he ran second to Woorim who I’ve always thought was a good horse and looks an even better horse now,” he said.
