Veteran dual-purpose galloper Gotta Take Care has again highlighted his versatility with a fast-finishing victory on the flat at Flemington on Friday.
In the process the Darren Weir-trained nine-year old has shown he is on target for next week’s Galleywood Hurdle at the famous Warrnambool carnival.
Having his 66th start, Gotta Take Care finished strongly to snatch a last-stride win in the William Newton VC Handicap over 2600m, the 17th victory of the gelding’s career.
Gotta Take Care, Harry Coffey - Photo by Sharon Chapman
“We have so much fun with this horse. He’s all heart,” Philip Wood, who part-owns the horse with his brothers Ian and Graeme, said.
“We’re off to the `Bool.”
Gotta Take Care has mixed flat and jumps racing in recent seasons, with his jumps wins including two Brendon Dreschler Hurdles at Bendigo.
“We’ve won two Brendon Dreschlers but we haven’t fluked a Galleywood yet. But we’re going there,” Wood said.
Gotta Take Care’s Flemington win continued the impressive form of apprentice Harry Coffey who has been making the most of his opportunities and riding many winners for Melbourne’s premiership-leading trainer Weir.
Coffey thought Gotta Take Care ($12) was only going to finish midfield halfway up the straight before the gelding powered home late to win by a nose over Unchain My Heart ($5.50) with Ancient King ($8) a long head away third.
Gotta Take Care is the topweight with 69kg for the $100,000 Galleywood Hurdle (3200m).
