Pakenham trainer Peter Gelagotis could have taken the easy option of staying home and racing in his own backyard instead of loading up the truck for a trip to Adelaide.
Gelagotis heads to Gawler on Saturday with two runners – Typhoon Harmony in the Irongate Australia Handicap and Rubology in the Bronwen Darrell Memorial Handicap.
Both races are over 1500m and Gelagotis is keen to see improved performances from each horse.
Typhoon Harmony heads to Gawler with two ‘duck eggs’ next to his name – at Moonee Valley and Caulfield respectively – but Gelagotis has been more than happy with each performance.
“I think both runs have been outstanding with no luck,” Gelagotis said.
“He’s been building fitness. It’s his third run back and he gets out to the 1500 (metres). I don’t think he could be placed better, to be honest.”
Now a nine-year-old, Gelagotis said Typhoon Harmony was going as well now as he ever has.
“His trial leading into his first-up run was good and his last trial was excellent,” Gelagotis said.
“I think the horse is going as well as he’s ever gone. He had a really good prep last time in for an eight-year-old and now that’s he’s nine, he’s still going well.”
Gelagotis hopes the weather remains dry in South Australia having made the decision to scratch Typhoon Harmony from a race at Ballarat last week.
Ironically, it was the same race Typhoon Harmony had won four years earlier on Ballarat Cup Day.
“I had him in last week and lucky we didn’t go. He drew wide and that track would not have suited him,” Gelagotis said.
Gelagotis is confident Rubology can improve on his recent performances.
“His runs have been good, but you look at his form, it says seven, seven, seven,” Gelagotis said.
“But if you analyse his sectionals, he’s run top three for his last 600 metres, finding the line, but he gets too far back.
“I can’t work him out. He’s come back and is just sluggish out of the gates. He’s sound, he’s well and he attacks the line good, but he runs out of room.
“Whether he’s looking for a trip, all his jockeys say ‘I wouldn’t be stepping up’, so I’ll give his this one, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll step him out.”
