For years, trainer Shawn Mathrick out of Cranbourne has thrived using horses let go by Godolphin.
The current stablemate Corniche prepares for another start with Mathrick in the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) this Saturday at Caulfield.
Having raced 14 times for Godolphin with two wins under James Cummings and Ciaron Maher, the gelding was runner-up in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Cranbourne on February 27.
This came as the gelding’s first race back from last September, and Mathrick was delighted with the outcome having dreaded the worst when Corniche arrived.
“I was worried we he first came, and thought ‘I’ve done my brass here’, but it’s taken a bit of work and he’s thriving at the beach,” Mathrick said.
“He’s got some knee issues. His action was terrible when he came to me and we’ve been doing a lot of beach work with him.
He galloped on Monday, and he worked the place down.”
Mathrick has managed numerous ex-Godolphin performers in his care, with special fondness for Adirondack and Gig, a mare he bred from.
“They pretty much tell what it is with their horses is,” Mathrick said of Godolphin.
“They’re pretty honest about it.
My old man used to say they don’t lose their ability, so there must be something going on and this horse got beaten a length-and-a-half by Joliestar one day and got flattened twice in the straight and then powered home.
He’s definitely got the ability and softer tracks, with his knees, would be better for him, but I’ll let him go around on Saturday and then see if we have to back off.”
Early on, Corniche placed in the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude, won the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes, and later the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.
His Sunshine Coast Guineas triumph dates to May 2024, followed by sparse racing.
“I’ve been picking my mark when I gallop him,” Mathrick said.
“I’ll only gallop him on the grass and when we’ve had a bit of rain, but his action was faultless on Monday.
The Goodwood in Adelaide, it might be a good race for him, so we’ll see how he is.”
Visit betting sites to find the best racing odds for Corniche’s run in the VOBIS Gold Sprint.
