Tie The Knot excelled in all types of going but for little brother Hood it’s a case of the wetter the better.
Trainer Guy Walter, who put the polish on the 13-time Group One winner and also prepares his half-brother Hood, would be happy to see some more rain in Sydney this week as he prepares the latter for the Listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill.
The sprinter is already a Listed winner over the Civic Stakes distance of 1400m and enters Saturday’s contest off the back of a six-week freshen up.
“If the track was heavy on Saturday it would enhance his chances,” Walter said.
“He has won the (Listed) National Sprint at Canberra and was second in a nice race on Cup day at Flemington last year (over 1400m).
“He’s a handy horse on his day, particularly on rain-affected ground.”
Walter elected to give Hood a freshen up after he failed in a 1300m Handicap at Scone last month on a good track.
Hood has two wins and a second from four starts on heavy ground.
Rosehill was rated a slow (7) following acceptances on Wednesday with Hood drawing the outside barrier in a field of 11 for the Civic Stakes.
“When he raced at Scone, unfortunately the ground was too good for him,” Walter said.
“He’s had a freshen-up since then and he generally races well with his races spaced a bit.
“I’ve taken the blinkers off him for Saturday. It will maybe give the rider a few more options.”
Blake Shinn partnered Hood last start but is sidelined through suspension and Walter has called on Christian Reith to have his first ride aboard the gelding on Saturday.
“He’s ridden for me a bit over the years but not a great deal,” Walter said.
“I’m very happy to have him on.”
While Tie The Knot won up to 3200m, Hood has proven most adept as a sprinter.
The five-year-old has won five of his 22 starts and will be out to add to his stakes tally with the National Sprint his only black type success to date.
June Stakes winner Alberton Park and last start winner Famous Seamus have been installed equal $4.60 favourites for the Civic Stakes with TAB Sportsbet, ahead of last start Rosehill winner Ideal Position at $6.
Hood was rated a $15 chance.
