Trainer Sue Grills is pinning her faith in Ramornie-winning rider Andrew Gibbons when she saddles up in-form Usain Prince in Sunday’s $25,000 Inverell Cup.
Gibbons, who won the 2011 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on Jerezana for Darley head trainer Peter Snowden, has been aboard the five-year-old at his past two wins.
“Andrew is a good jockey. He’s got a perfect record on Usain Prince, two from two, let’s hope he can make it three from three,” Tamworth-based Grills said.
“They’ve formed a good partnership.”
Grill said Usain Prince was always talented and had come back this preparation in devastating form.
The son of Universal Prince is undefeated in three runs this campaign and the winner of six from 19 starts overall for more than $60,000 in prize money.
Grills has never won an Inverell Cup.
“I’ve never had many runners but Usain Prince certainly represents my best chance,” Grills said.
“The horse has always had plenty of ability. This preparation he’s matured more, come into his own, and hasn’t had to travel as much which helps him.
“I’ve always had a wrap on him.
“I took him to Sydney as a young horse and he was unlucky to get beaten. He rarely runs a bad race.”
While Grills feels maturity has been the key to Usain Prince’s peak form, his habit of overracing has also been tempered.
“He used to overrace, fierce on the track,” Grills said.
“He’s still a hard puller in trackwork but he’s settled down a lot more in his races.
“It’s just been time and patience.
“The horse is as sound as a bell and his work since winning at Tamworth last start has been right up to the mark.
“From the barrier (four), he should just about get the run of the race.
“Hopefully things pan out how we hope.”
AAP TURF
