O'HALLORAN'S CHANGE OF MIND WITH MAL COUPE
But he says his stable star has done so well that he changed his mind and will run him in Saturday’s Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick.
The Hawkesbury trainer was pleased with Mal Coupe’s first-up seventh (beaten only three lengths) to outstanding mare Tempted in the $1m Group 2 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 5.
“I was thinking of waiting for a Benchmark 94 Handicap (1200m) at the Epsom meeting at Randwick on October 3, or a Benchmark 100 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm two days later,” O’Halloran said today.
“But Mal Coupe has done really well and is ready to race again, so we may as well have a crack at The Shorts.
“He isn’t all that well placed under the set weights and penalties conditions (with 55kg only 2kg less than Joliestar), but he always gives 110 per cent.
“I’m sure he will run well again.
“Mal Coupe worked really on the course proper at Hawkesbury on Tuesday morning.
“We still have the option going to either of those other two races after The Shorts.”
Tyler Schiller rode the gelding in the Concorde, and has the mount again.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Fabio Martino is seeking a two-track double on Friday and Saturday.
He has last start tough Warwick Farm winner Spartus in the Hurricane Handicap (900m) at tomorrow’s Newcastle Gold cup meeting, and another last start winner (at home) All Star in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Zac Lloyd partners $3.90 favorite Spartus in the Benchmark 72 Handicap Hurricane, but will be in the other corner in Saturday’s Midway at Randwick.
He continues his successful association with Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible’s Barrengarry ($1.85 favorite), and Tommy Berry rides All Star ($8).
Martino also has Substantial (Reece Jones) in the 5YO & Up Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).
