Mark Schmetzer is hoping the relocation of his stable to the Hunter Valley will unlock opportunities to increase his team of racehorses.
But it will be a stable favourite which could easily confirm the worth of Schmetzer’s move from Canberra to Muswellbrook when sharp sprinter Run Cannon Run runs in the Pro-Ride Handicap at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
A jockey who battled weight for much of his 13 years in the saddle, Schmetzer and his wife Jess shifted their young family and their stable two months ago.
He said the wellbeing of his two children was another reason behind his decision to escape the harsh winters in Canberra to a warmer region that also boasts one of the largest thoroughbred populations in the world.
“My wife and I have two young boys and they were sick all the time during the winter so we thought we would pack up and get up here where all the horses are in the Hunter Valley,” Schmetzer said.
“With all the studs up here, hopefully we can build our stable up and become a stronger stable while we are young, fit and motivated.”
Run Cannon Run is as fast as any horse in country racing, winning six races between 800m and 1050m.
“Early on we tried to hold him up and let him finish off instead of just letting him run,” Schmetzer said.
“It turned out we were just fighting him and he was just pulling himself into the ground.”
Run Cannon Run will provide James Innes jnr with a second-to-none chance of winning another city race before he links with Godolphin.
Innes jnr will continue his apprenticeship with trainer John O’Shea when he starts work at Godolphin next week.
He has won on Run Cannon Run and was entrusted with the ride when the four-year-old ran a minor placing in a 955-metre race at Moonee Valley two starts before a let-up.
