It was a day of mixed emotions for trainer Barry Baldwin after Havatryst produced a bulldog-like finish to win the Simon George & Sons Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Baldwin credited Maureen Olsen, wife of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Larry Olsen, for giving him the nerve to buy Havatryst for $17,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions yearling sales.
Jockeys rode in the race wearing wearing black armbands in honour of Maureen Olsen, 61, who died on Melbourne Cup day.
Her funeral will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Hendra, at 1pm (AEST) on Monday.
“He looked to have a foot problem but Maureen was the one to push me into buying him,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin, who earlier scored with Saraji in the Club Super Handicap (1010m), was subdued and in a reflective mood after Havatryst took his record to five wins from 11 starts.
Havatryst raced handy throughout before going on to down Sway To Go by three-quarters of a length with Danagaze a further half-head away third just in front of the desperately unlucky Carry Me Bluey.
“He’s a real bulldog and tries very hard,” Baldwin said.
“He digs in when the time is needed and that is the makings of a good horse.”
Baldwin now plans to tackle the Doomben summer series with Havatryst but is wary the four-year-old may find the first leg, the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben on December 10, too short.
“It’s only 1200 metres and by then he may be looking for a lot further,” Baldwin said.
“I can’t see why he won’t run 1400 metres. He should nearly have won the Daybreak Lover over 1350 metres during the winter carnival and then I made the mistake of backing him over a mile (1600m) a week later in the (Queensland) Guineas.”
Jockey Jim Byrne admitted to having some concerns in the straight.
“To his credit he really puts in,” Byrne said.
“He’s got great cruising speed but I was a little concerned at the 300 metres when Sway To Go went with us.
“The good thing was he was able to relax so I can’t see why he won’t get to 1600 metres.”
Earlier apprentice Tim Bell predicted a big-race win was well within the scope of Double Image following the five-year-old’s easy 5-1/2-length win in the Salt Design Handicap (1010m).
Double Image, who has now won four of his seven starts, led all the way in the first leg of a double for trainer Les Kelly.
Kelly paid only $5000 for Double Image as a yearling but the gelding has had his share of problems and underwent knee surgery following his fourth at Doomben in March.
Kelly trained a rare city double when Skating On Ice later won the Qld Reef And Beef Handicap (1200m) after edging out Liesele by a half-head.
“Double Image has got a good future but I’m not sure where we’ll go with him,” Kelly said.
“Skating On Ice will head towards a Listed race at Eagle Farm next month.”
AAP TURF
