While the clouds covered Sydney and Randwick runners had to handle the heavy track, the sun was shining over Doomben on what looked a picture perfect day for quality racing on Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap day, also featuring Group 1s JJ Atkins and QLD Derby
With the mass crowds flocking through the gates ready for an action packed day of quality group racing, John meets with the owners pre-race as the anticipation builds toward the Group 1 JJ Atkins over the 1600m for the 2yr olds, a race in which the stable had the two runners line up- Home Ground and Home Made. Racing is a sport where you can have a plan and in the blink of an eye things can be thrown into array quite quickly, earlier in the day jockey Michael Walker crossed the line victorious on Chris Waller trained Sambro in the Guineas before complaining of dizziness and as a result being stood down for the rest of day, meaning John had to find a new rider for Home Made.
With Michael Zahra taking the call, the big moment arrived and our boys paraded nicely in front of the large crowd before making their way to the start. Home Ground jumping from barrier 10 and Home Made from 11, the field was locked away and quickly let go. As the gates fly open and the jockeys look to find the perfect spot for their horses, Home Made is taken to the rear of the field while Home Ground ridden more forward and is eventually able to cross from his wide barrier to sit second outside the leader Boomsara. Into the straight and the field bunches up as the back markers start to come with their runs, Home Ground has a few small bumps with the horse to his outside and continues to run on.
The young horse has shown his potential and with his toughness was able to run 5th in his first Group 1 race only finishing 3.4 lengths behind a very smart horse in The Italian Sun. Congratulations go to all the connections involved with the horse and mention go to the team that work behind the scenes to keep the horse happy and enjoying his work. A good ride by Travis Wolfgram for a jockey that was also having his first race ride in a Group 1.
Home Ground will now go for a spell once he arrives back in Sydney and will learn from the experience. John commenting that he thinks that Home Ground will make a lovely Derby horse in the spring.
Watch the replay below
