The Mark Walker stable is banking on a change of scenery and a name change bringing out the best of a stable newcomer in the Pakenham Cup.
Former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained King Of The Castle has had a change of name to I’m A Dirty Rascal and runs for the first time for Walker in Saturday’s Listed race over 2500m.
Ben Gleeson, Walker’s assistant trained based at Cranbourne, said I’m A Dirty Rascal had been with the stable for around five weeks.
He said their first task was to refresh his mind, while a stint of hurdling has worked wonders with the gelding.
“There is no knocking where he was previously, but we’re just lucky to have the resources that we believe work and I think it’s working with him,” Gleeson said.
“He’s lived in the sandhills at Cranbourne, which has been one of the key training aspects.
“We have our own chiros and physios and all that and he certainly needed some areas worked on and I think they’ve done an amazing job with him
“We have given him slow, steady gallops. We’ve done a lot of jumping with him and he seems to be loving it.
“He certainly hadn’t done that before, given the way he acted the first day, but now he’s pinging over the jumps, and it’s really sparked him to life, and it’s just given him a new lease of confidence
“His body is, I think, as good as I’ve seen it in the five weeks and if he can turn around his form, the staff will be getting absolutely applauded for their efforts.”
I’m A Dirty Rascal came to Australia the winner of one race, a maiden at Limerick, and when first in Australia was prepared by Robert Hickmott before transferring to Waterhouse and Bott.
The gelding is yet to win in Australia, but Gleeson said Walker thought I’m A Dirty Rascal could be an ideal type for a major New Zealand Cup race, the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March.
“Mark thought the Auckland Cup would be a perfect race for him which was identified before we bought him,” Gleeson said.
“We’ll try and do what we can here to turn him around, but ultimately, we’d love to take him home and have a go at the Auckland Cup.
“A lot of Australian owners have gone into him, and they were excited by the venture. A lot of them actually came in knowing that if they could get to an Auckland Cup, they’ll go for a holiday and enjoy the experience which is what Te Akau want to provide
“It’s a long way between now and then, but if he could win a race and show that he’s still got that zest, then I’d say we’re certainly on track for a race like that.”
Craig Newitt takes the ride on Saturday and I’m A Dirty Rascal will have the addition of a tongue-tie and nose-roll.
