Local trainer Pat Carey has finally got the Hareeba Stakes monkey off his back with Recon staging a blinding finishing burst to score at Mornington.
The Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) had been a thorn in Carey’s side who had been trying to win the race for a number of years, while finishing second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third with Dan Zephyr 10 years later.
Move forward another 10 years and Recon has provided the Pat Carey and Harris Walker stable with the feature sprint on Mornington Cup Day.
Ridden by Patrick Moloney, Recon ($4.80) charged home to record a 1-½ length win from the $4.40 favourite La Fracas with Pop Award ($10) a half-length away third.
“This race has been a bit of a thorn in my side,” Carey said.
“We’ve had plenty of goes at this race, so it’s nice to win this race today.
“I’ve run a number of placings in it but Recon has always shown good ability.
“Steve Watkins, who owns him and bred him, always felt he was one of his better horses he has had and he’s had a number of good horses including Abaridy who won a Caulfield Guineas.
“He got shuffled back to nearly last at one point just before the corner, but Pat didn’t panic and brought him out wide and gave him a clear run.
“He’s done nothing wrong since coming down to Melbourne, and he’s got a bit bigger and bit stronger. He’s still a lightly raced horse and he’s still learning his trade and open to good improvement.”
When Carey moved to Mornington following the closure of the Epsom Training Centre last century, he took over the stalls of trainer Ken Newman who prepared Hareeba.
“When Kenny wound down his training operation, I took over his stalls and I daresay the stall Recon sits in everyday is Hareeba’s old stall,” Carey said.
Carey wanted to get Saturday’s race out of the way before deciding where he may head with Recon, a winner of six of his 11 career starts.
Adelaide or Brisbane could be on the agenda, but Carey is not one to rush his horses to a higher grade.
“I haven’t thought about anything other than today,” Carey said.
“He’s a lightly raced horse and there’s lots of races for a horse like him this year, next year and hopefully the year after.”
