The Ramornie Handicap at Grafton is off the agenda for talented sprinter Essington in favour of Saturday’s Ascot Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Trainer Darryl Hansen has decided to bypass the feature sprint at next week’s Northern Rivers showpiece fearing the trip might take too much out of the horse.
The four-year-old travelled to Rockhampton where he scored a record breaking win in his comeback in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on June 23.
“He travelled well to Rocky but he had a tough run to win in record time when he carried 59 kilograms,” Hansen said.
“It was his first run since March and it could take a lot out of him if I took him to Grafton.”
Essington will take a significant step up in distance to 1600 metres after the Ascot Handicap assignment.
“I only want to give him a couple of runs this campaign before I give him a short break,” Hansen said.
“I might take him away for the spring when he comes back into work next time but I’m not sure if it will be in Sydney or Melbourne.
“At this stage I’m playing it by ear until I see how he goes in his next couple of runs.
“He’s won over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm but I’d like to see him over a mile (1600m) before I look at his spring options.”
Hansen had originally planned to target the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Caloundra with the four-year-old after he was spelled following an Eagle Farm placing in March.
However, Hansen, who is based at Caloundra, bowed to part-owner Merino Katsanevas’s dream to win the Rockhampton Newmarket after Essington emerged as one of Queensland’s sprinting finds with eight wins from 12 starts in his previous two campaigns.
Katsanevas, a Townsville painting contractor, owns a half share in Essington who was bought for $50,000 at a sale of Lloyd Williams’ tried horses.
The son of Redoute’s Choice has since gone on to earn almost $250,000 for connections.
“I was going to get him ready for the Glasshouse but Merino wanted to win the Rocky Newmarket after he ran second in it with Iron Jug a few years ago,” Hansen said.
Chris Munce has been aboard Essington in six of his nine wins and has been retained for the Ascot Handicap.
Hansen was last season’s leading trainer in Townsville and Mackay before moving in December to try his luck in the south-east.
He opened a stable at Eagle Farm but later moved his team to Caloundra.
AAP TURF
