Adam Wadick trains at Warwick Farm but rarely has a runner on race day, so starting off the new season at home with Hurricanes is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.
Wadick is gradually growing his operation in David Vandyke’s old stables where a year ago Big Arty was his only horse and most of his time was spent breaking in and pre-training for Mark Newnham.
He only had three horses in action last season with Royal Casino his solitary winner from eight runners.
“I’m up to seven horses of my own now, so we’re slowly getting there,” Wadick said
Wadick took over Hurricanes from Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe in April and the gelding runs in Wednesday’s 2200m-race, backing up from a last-start third at Grafton where 61.5kg counted against him.
“The owners have shares in Royal Casino with me, that’s how I got the horse,” he said.
“They wanted to go to the Grafton Carnival. We had fun there and the horse ran third. He’s only a little horse, the weight was too much for him.”
Hurricanes carries 57.5kg with Jay Ford to ride in the Benchmark 70 Handicap, a race Wadick targeted to see if he can handle a jump up from the 1600m he covered in Grafton on July 12.
“He needs to be able to run a good trip to go from a fair provincial horse to midweek company. It’s a big step up but his track work suggests he’ll run the trip right out,” Wadick said.
Wadick was happy with barrier three and thought the addition of blinkers for the first time this preparation would also enhance Hurricanes’ hopes.
“With the blinkers on I expect him to jump better and travel better early,” he said.
“I’m hoping to be up in the first four.
“If he’s too far back and they’re whacking the line at the end of 2200, he might not be able to pick them up.”
