Premier trainer Chris Waller was more than happy he heeded jockey Hugh Bowman’s assessment of Mangaroa Flyer after the gelding scored a tough win at Warwick Farm at his third start in 10 days.
Waller was disappointed when Mangaroa Flyer ran third at Kembla Grange on February 8 but was moved to start him last Saturday when Bowman said the horse was just coming good.
Bowman was committed elsewhere so Glyn Schofield rode Mangaroa Flyer to victory at Rosehill but Bowman was back aboard in the Co-Wyn Building Group (2400m) at Warwick Farm.
“We only decided this morning to run him,” Waller said.
“He is very tough. His constitution allows him to keep going and he looks like he could go round next week but he won’t.
“I could have sent him to the paddock after Kembla but Hugh said it was his best run of the preparation so we kept going.
“The owners have got $84,000 that they wouldn’t have had.”
Bowman rode a heady race on Mangaroa Flyer ($3.80 fav), taking the lead mid-race then letting Palasport ($12) go to the front when he was happy with pace.
Having conserved energy, Mangaroa Flyer rallied again in the straight to beat Palasport by 1-1/2 lengths with Tropicana Girl ($9.50) another 3-1/2 lengths away third.
Waller said he would more than likely give Mangaroa Flyer a short break and bring him back for races like the Winter Cup.
“He might not have the brilliance for the better staying races so the Winter Cup looks a realistic target,” he said.
AAP TURF
