NEWCASTLE’S Hurricane Handicap at the Gold Cup meeting wasn’t on Mike Van Gestel’s radar.
But a set of circumstances changed his mind with a happy result as his tough six-year-old No Statement clinched his fourth victory at the Broadmeadow track on Friday.
Ridden by apprentice Molly Bourke, who has formed a terrific association with the gelding, No Statement ($2.80 favorite) gallantly took the Hurricane (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 900m) to give his Hawkesbury trainer his first success of the season.
It was No Statement’s 13th career victory and he has also been placed 16 times from 64 starts.
Van Gestel wasn’t initially looking at the Hurricane, even though his gelding races really well at Newcastle, where he has raced eight times for four wins (all at 900m) and two placings.
“He has been finding it hard to win in town at 1000m, although he races well at Warwick Farm,” Van Gestel said today.
“He has won on the Kensington track, but doesn’t seem to like the big track (Royal Randwick).
“I was looking for an 1100m race for him, but something happened.
“Unfortunately his trackwork rider had a fall from another horse, and I don’t like anyone else riding him.
“Because of that I haven’t taken No Statement to the track, and have just been cantering and trotting him.
“Because he was fit and fresh, I decided to run him in the Hurricane at the 900m.
“Newcastle is his favorite track, and Molly (Bourke) gets on so well with him.
“They had their chance to beat him. The second favorite (Outishka) was cruising along tracking my horse and probably headed him but couldn’t get away.”
Bourke has been No Statement’s most successful rider, winning six races on him.
She first rode him at Hawkesbury in December 2022 when runner-up in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m), and her first win on him was at Kembla Grange in May last year in similar grade and at the same distance.
Bourke also partnered No Statement in a barrier to box victory at $41 in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) on the Kensington track last October.
. Gosford trainer Greg McFarlane was the other provincial trainer to enjoy success at Newcastle.
He won the opener, the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1850m), with $18 chance Kosuke, ridden by Chad Schofield.
A lightly-raced three-year-old son of The Autumn Sun, Kosuke was having only his fifth start and broke through for his first win.
Story John Curtis, September 22, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
Comments