The Melbourne Cup has only just been run and won but Gerald Ryan is already looking ahead to next year.
In recent times, Ryan has been best known for his success with sprinters including 2006 Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel and his subsequent progeny.
But the addition of well-related English stayer Double Bluff to his stable has ignited the trainer’s desire to prepare a horse for the major staying races.
“When I was in Japan earlier this year I met bloodstock agent Tom Pritchard-Gordon and he asked if I was interested if he could find a horse for Australia,” Ryan said.
“I said of course and he sent me a video of Double Bluff winning a 2400 metre race and I was really impressed.
“His mother is a half sister to Double Trigger.
“Damion Flower’s Jadeskye bought 75 per cent and the original owner has retained 25 per cent.”
Flower raced Ryan’s most recent Group One winning stayer, 2003 Australian Derby winner Clangalang.
Double Bluff is already at Ryan’s Rosehill stable where he will be given a light summer preparation to get him used to Australian conditions.
“He is a fast front running stayer and may be more of a Caulfield Cup type of horse but we will let him show us,” Ryan said.
“He came out of quarantine a week ago. He is a lovely type.
“He will have a light preparation and we may or may not race him in the Sydney autumn or he could go to the Queensland winter carnival.
“He won’t actually be four until May so he is still a young horse.”
Ron Huggins, the now-minor shareholder in Double Bluff, raced Double Trigger and his brother Double Eclipse.
Double Trigger won the 1995 Ascot Gold Cup before running unplaced as favourite in that year’s Melbourne Cup while Double Eclipse was a five-time stakes winner of races 3000 metres and beyond.
