Aurie’s Star Hcp Race Day – August 7th

VRC Season Premiere Plate

(Handicap - 1410m)

Post Race Details & Comments

Winning Horse: Groundswell (Aus)

5yoG Fastnet Rock (Aus) - The Broken Shore (Aus)(Hussonet (USA))

19 starts - 6 wins 1 second 3 thirds 3 fourths $609510

Black Type Wins

1st LR Morphettville Parks Holdfast City Of Adelaide Hcp 1400m (2021)

Black Type Placings

3rd G1 Caulfield Caulfield Guineas 1600m (2019)

3rd G3 Flemington Carbine Club Stakes 1600m (2019)

3rd G3 Caulfield Caulfield Guineas Prelude-C&G 1400m (2019)

2nd LR Eagle Farm Nuturf Spear Chief Hcp 1500m (2021)

Other Wins

1st Bendigo Rsn 945Am (Bm90) 1400m (2021)

1st Moonee Valley Seppelt Wines (Bm84) 1500m (2020)

1st Cranbourne De Bortoli Wines (Bm78) 1400m (2020)

1st Geelong Bet365 Odds Mdn Plate 1218m (2019)

Race Result:

1st: Groundswell (D Lane/A & S Freedman) - $4.40

2nd: King Magnus (A Kelly/R Griffiths & M de Kock) - $2.80 fav
3rd:
 Red Can Man (M Lloyd/D Brideoake) - $4.40

Winning Time: 1:23.95  Last 600m: 35.43

Margins:  Long Neck x Half Head

Winning Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (comments from Sam)

On the win: “I was worried he was probably out of tickets the last 50m. It looked like they were rolling along for the first 600m of the race then he got him into a really good rhythm.

“He’s become a very genuine horse, the jury was probably out early in his career on how genuine he was racing but credit to him, he’s really digging in and the team at Flemington do a really good job with him and the spring looks bright for him now.”

On his maturity: “He’s two stone lighter than he was earlier in his career. He was a very good three-year-old, he ran third in a Caulfield Guineas and then his form tapered off a little bit.

“But we’ve found the key to him, rolling along out in front, he really enjoys that.

“Damian Lane has won on him five times now as well so they’re building a really good association.”

On spring plans: “There is a race at The Valley over 1500m that could possibly suit, probably right on the outer limits of his distance range, the 1400m is probably perfect for him.

“We’ll work that out and try to get him to the Rupert Clarke in perfect shape.”

Winning Jockey: Damian Lane

There to be beaten: “He is a tough horse. Unfortunately he’s a bit one dimensional, you’ve got to go forward on him and get him right in the thick of things to get him competitive. He went a little bit fresh early and that was going to leave him a little bit vulnerable late but he was still too tough at the end.”

How track is playing: “It’s just in the soft range, somewhere between a (Good) four and a (Soft) five. The track has worn really evenly and the inside is holding up well. I don’t think it is a disadvantage to be anywhere.”