Managing the expectations of owners is part of a trainer’s job – even when one of those owners is a former trainer himself.
Progressive three-year-old Livin’ Thing is raced by a group that includes Anthony Cummings, the son of legendary horseman Bart and a 24-time Group 1-winning conditioner in his own right until his licence was revoked by Racing NSW earlier this year.
Cummings was renowned for being fearless when it came to deep ending a talented young horse and often did so successfully, multiple Group winner Libertini a case in point.
It is a trademark John O’Shea is only too happy to goad his former Randwick neighbour about as he prepares Livin’ Thing for his next assignment in the TAB Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
“One of the partners is adamant he could be an Everest horse,” O’Shea said, tongue-in-cheek.
“I don’t know if he is quite at that level, but we’re hoping he can go through his grades.
Livin’ Thing is sired by 2019 Everest winner Yes Yes Yes and has won half of his six starts, including his latest on Randwick’s Kensington circuit earlier this month.
His current campaign is his first for O’Shea and training partner Tom Charlton and they have been impressed by his progress so far.
He will carry 56kg after the three-kilo claim of apprentice Jace Mcmurray at Rosehill and should appreciate the drying track.
“He was very impressive the other day. Much better on top of the ground,” O’Shea said.
“He has drawn to get a good run and he is still well treated under the weight scale so we’re really optimistic he can run well.
“He has got a good foundation about him.”
O’Shea opted to scratch import Quietness from the McKell Cup (2000m) in favour of a Listed race in Queensland, but stablemates Captain Amelia and Awesome Wonder will both line up at Rosehill.
The latter gets to her favoured 2400m journey for the first time this campaign in the Stayer’s Cup, although O’Shea warned she could still be one more run away from peaking as she heads towards next month’s Grafton Cup (2350m).
