One metropolitan win isn’t enough to convince Lionel Cohen he is on the verge of grandeur as a trainer but more success at Randwick on Saturday will put him within reach of a Group One result.
Cohen, a well-known breeder and owner in South Africa before opening Rosehill stables, is hoping to celebrate his first anniversary since joining Sydney’s training ranks with a victory by untapped Aeronautical in the $100,000 Listed Rosebud (1200m).
The Rosebud is a lead-up race to the $1 million Golden Rose – the first Group One race of the 2011-2012 Australian racing season – at Rosehill on September 10.
Offering a $1 million purse, it’s the race Cohen has his sights set with Aeronautical.
Cohen enjoyed a breakout moment when Aeronautical won at Randwick last month, unleashing a brand of acceleration reserved only for horses with better wins in store.
“Not many horses can produce what he did to win,” Cohen said about the nature of Aeronautical’s victory which gave him his first metropolitan training success.
“He put them to bed in a matter of 150 metres.”
The win also put the media focus on Cohen as a trainer to be reckoned with but he says it has sparked only minor interest in his Rosehill operation from potential owners.
“There’s one owner who wants to get involved but one Saturday win doesn’t mean it turns everything around,” he said.
“I suppose a more aggressive approach to marketing the stable might help but I’m happy with the way things are going.
“My feeling is I’d rather have a few good horses than a lot of bad ones.
“I don’t want to fill the boxes for the sake of it.
“Having said that I’ve got the confidence in myself to back myself and for people to invest in me (as a trainer).”
Cohen also has the utmost faith in Nathan Berry, the young jockey who rode Aeronautical to victory at Randwick.
“Nathan didn’t panic on him and he deserves to stay on,” Cohen said.
Rosebud nominations have been extended after an original entry of 12 three-year-olds.
David Payne, who helped Cohen realise his ambition to take out a trainer’s licence, has nominated last start winners Al’s Magic Miss and Queenian.
Fellow Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan has entered unraced Fast Shanti, a sister to stakes winner Rothesay.
He has also nominated Road To Summer, beaten out of a place as equal favourite at Rosehill on Saturday.
Missile Stakes entries have also been extended despite 14 nominations being lodged including Joe Pride’s exciting Rain Affair and the juvenile Group One winner Pressday.
AAP TURF
