Staying away from the early pressure can help Free Beer feature again.
Whether or not a lager or a draught takes your fancy, Free BeerĀ has one of the most eye-catching names of any horse going around and trainer Justin PickeringĀ believes that another win at nice odds can provide some extra pocket money at Morphettville.
Free Beer notched a second career victory at Mount Gambier in ten outings last start and despite also being entered at Gawler on Monday, he has decided to point the four-year-old back to the city for the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
It is not just that the gelding has won there before, but at double-figure odds with betting sites of $13 the Murray Bridge-based horseman is happy to take them on.
“IĀ thinkĀ he’sĀ overĀ theĀ odds,” Pickering said.
“YouĀ know,Ā wayĀ overĀ theĀ odds.
“IĀ thinkĀ lastĀ startĀ atĀ MountĀ Gambier,Ā itĀ probablyĀ didn’tĀ lookĀ likeĀ aĀ totallyĀ dominantĀ win,Ā butĀ heĀ wasĀ sort ofĀ floatingĀ around.
“WhenĀ heĀ hitĀ theĀ lead, he justĀ floated.”
It is that summary that will see a tactics change for Free Beer to be ridden further back from barrier three to help him settle better to attack the finishing line and alter that floating habit that is shown in work at home and at the track.
With a small team of 12 horses in work who Pickering trains with partner, and apprentice jockey, Maggie Collett, his record of 42 winners and 42 placings across 209 starters sees the stable running at a 1.64 return-on-investment according to Racing and Sports for followers of his runners.
Free Beer won debut at Morphettville in June 2023 at $61 which raises Pickering’s confidence even further.
“IĀ thinkĀ 1200Ā withĀ the blinkersĀ on he’sĀ quiteĀ comfortable.Ā HeĀ doesn’t,Ā heĀ doesn’tĀ startĀ pullingĀ tooĀ hard,” he added.
“And at Morphettville, he doesn’t owe us any beers.”
