One of the tricks to success in racehorse training is being able to find the right race for your horses. There is often an easy option at home however for at least two Grafton trainers thinking outside the east option paid the ultimate dividend.
Armidale cup day on Friday saw Cathy Chapman made the trip up the mountain with Rock The Machine to contest the Class1 1900m.
The gelding was also entered to run in the BM 58 1600m however Chapman after having a look at the form for both races decided to take on a strong Armidale Cup day.
Ridden to perfection by Kody Nestor Rock The Machine sat in third the fence throughout the run before Nestor eased into the clear at the 300m. When asked to accelerate Rock The Machine sprinted quickly to race away and win well.
There is little doubt Chapman will now look for a suitable staying style closer to home.
It was pretty much a case of de ja vu when Shane Everson headed to Port Macquarie on Monday with the in form Alabama Girl.
Like Rock The Machine, Alabama Girl had been entered for the 1600m BM 58 at Grafton and it was an easy option to stay home but Everson decided to make the trip to Port in the BM 58 1812m where he believed Alabama Girl was better suited.
The new Port can be a little leaderish on occasions and Everson was understandably relieved when he found out an earlier winner had come from well back in the field, because one thing was for certain from her wide gate Alabama Girl was going have to go back to have any chance.
Ridden by Mikayla Weir Alabama Girl was back third last in the run and was essentially last as heads were turned for home with a ton of work to do.
Weir quickly worked to the outside to find clear air and Alabama Girl just kept coming all the way to the line to win with some authority.
It was the second win for the yard with his mare since she joined the stable from Victoria.
Grafton’s other winner came courtesy of the Camp Henley when the Fleur Henley prepared Five Rings secured its first win for the yard in the BM 58 1509m.
Ridden by Danny Peisley Five Rings settled midfield the fence and was given a peach of a ride to weave his way into the clear at the 200m and dash quickly enough to establish a winning break.
It was the first win for Five Rings since joining the Henley yard in 2024. Not that a win was ever far away because before the success on Monday Five Rings had been placed in the top five on eight occasions since making the trip north from Victoria.
