By Ray Hickson
Trainer John Sargent is more than happy for in-form galloper Toesonthenose’s preparation to revolve around Nash Rawiller as the combination eyes a hat-trick at Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer John Sargent.
While Sargent says the turning point in the five-year-old’s preparation came before Rawiller took the reins it’s the premiership leading jockey’s insight that’s also proving valuable.
Toesonthenose has relished Rawiller’s patient riding and the trainer said it will be crucial as he steps out in trip to the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (2000m).
“We just waited from last week to stay in his own class and get out to that extra distance,’’ Sargent said.
“And probably to revolve around Nash who has really suited the horse and has brought the results.
“Nash said to me ‘I think I’ve ridden against him and watched him and he’s a horse that would suit being ridden a bit colder and come with a turn of foot’.
“He’s shown he doesn’t need to be up on the speed where we used to have him and Nash thinks 2000m after his last win would be ideal.”
It’s worth noting, Sargent said, that when the gelding last attempted 2000m he was at the end of his first prep for the stable and led on that occasion.
He carried 58kg to an easy win over 1800m at Rosehill two weeks ago and is paying the penalty with an extra 3kg as Sargent elected to keep him in Benchmark 78 grade for another start.
It’s the same weight he shouldered in the Four Pillars prior to his successive wins and Sargent was rapt with his effort from a wide gate in that Golden Eagle Day race.
“I thought it was a huge run in the Four Pillars, he was five wide in the open, that’s when I thought the turning point had come,’’ he said.
“He has to get a nice soft run, I think the trip won’t be a worry but with the weight he won’t want to be interrupted.
“He’s trained on beautifully, he’s right at the peak of his game.”
Sargent doesn’t have any grand plans for Toesonthenose, $3 with TAB on Wednesday, at this stage though he’s amassed over $320,000 from his 19 starts to date and is yet to reach open company.
“There’s so much good money on the way through the grades, whether we give him a break and head to the autumn we’ll have a look after this run,’’ he said.
Stayer Outlandos does have a summer goal and that’s about a month away on the Gold Coast so his return in the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1600m) is very much a starting point.
The seven-year-old hasn’t raced since a midfield finish in the St Leger over 2600m on Everest Day and Sargent is keen to keep the sharpness in the horse for the time being with the Magic Millions Subzero his target.
He’s finished second and third in the 2200m race in the past two editions and will carry just 52kg with Molly Bourke to ride.
“I expect him to be coming home strongly from the back,’’ he said.
“Then to keep the freshness in his legs we’ll go another mile in two weeks. He’ll always get the trip when he gets up there.
“He’s done enough work to hit the line with no weight on his back and go well.”
Toesonthenose wins at Rosehill on December 2
Meanwhile, Sargent suggested Booster Shot is a horse to keep an eye on for the future as he has his second start in the TAB Plate (1550m) at Canterbury on Friday night.
The Pierro gelding ran an eye-catching fifth on debut at Wyong a couple of weeks ago.
“I think he’s going to be a good stayer in the making, I really like the look of him,’’ he said.
