Shawn Mathrick, trainer, eagerly awaits pitting his new stable charge Corniche in a further Stakes race.
The Godolphin cast-off secured success at Flemington on his third appearance for Mathrick, gearing up for the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington come Saturday.
Encouraging results could direct Mathrick to Adelaide and the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville, May 9.
Since Corniche’s victory in the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) March 28, Mathrick mulled over the Hareeba Stakes en route to a potential Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool, May 6.
But The Goodwood’s proximity just three days later poses a dilemma for Mathrick.
“I would prefer to go to The Goodwood,” Mathrick said.
“Warrnambool can so tricky. Some just hate it, and you never know until you go there, but I would like to win a Group 1, and he’s definitely got the quality to do that.
“Joliestar won the other day, and she only beat him a length-and-a-bit one day and his wet track form is terrific.”
Mathrick detailed his persistent work to cure the gelding’s ongoing troubles from his early days in the stable.
Corniche gallops solely post-rain at Cranbourne Training Centre, complemented by plentiful beach time.
“I had to get the pain out of his knees, and his feet and he had heart arrythmia but that has all settled down and he seems good,” Mathrick said.
“You never know when those things can flare up again, but he’s been super.
“He worked like Manikato on Tuesday. He’s a weapon.”
On another note, stablemate Unflinching is bound for Brisbane and the Listed Ascot Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm Saturday.
Unflinching trailed Corniche at Flemington, with Mathrick calling the sprinter a pure 1000m horse.
“That’s his distance,” Mathrick said.
“His run the other day was good, but Corniche was just too good in the last bit.”
The journey for Unflinching involved floating to Sydney Tuesday night, a layover at Rosehill, and arrival in Brisbane Wednesday night, Mathrick shared.
“It’s worth $92,000 to the winner, so if he wins, I can afford to fly him home if I have to,” Mathrick said.
Head to betting sites to check the latest on Hareeba Stakes markets.
