O'HALLORAN'S WIFE A VERY "ABLE" DEPUTY

John Curtis

Jul 26, 20242 min read

FRIDAY: July 26, 2024: HAWKESBURY trainer Steve O’Halloran jokingly says he might have to let wife Steph deputise for him at more race meetings.

O’Halloran couldn’t be trackside at Wyong yesterday as he had another commitment, attending a trainers’ seminar at Warwick Farm.

But it mattered not as the “better half” saddled a winner for him - Able Red in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1350m).

“Steph reckons she was a good luck charm yesterday, and it’s hard to argue,” O’Halloran said this morning.

There was plenty of merit too in Able Red’s performance as the lightly-raced three-year-old had no luck at all but was still good enough to land his second success at only his fifth start.

A recent recruit to the stable, Able Red ($6.50) led home a Hawkesbury quinella, defeating Phil and Tara Vigouroux’s former New Zealander Energize ($15), who made the running and gave a great sight.

A well-bred son of five-times Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun, Able Red was foaled by the Encosta De Lago mare Miss Marielle, who boasted six wins; four in Melbourne and two in Sydney.

Her Sydney victories were the 2009 Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens, and Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Miss Marielle’s first foal Peeping won the 2016 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens for trainer Ron Quinton and jockey Sam Clipperton.

Able Red fetched $200,000 as a 2022 Inglis Australian Easter yearling, and had three starts for Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker, including a debut Cowra Maiden Plate (1375m) win in January.

However, he was unplaced at his next two starts at Bathurst and Nowra.

“Able Red is owned in Hong Kong, and I have a connection with the owner’s bloodstock manager Willie Magnus,” O’Halloran explained.

“He asked if I was interested in having a try with Able Red, and especially being a really well-bred horse, I had nothing to lose.

“I looked at the videos of his earlier starts and he was bustled to race up on the speed.

“Judged on his breeding and the way he is racing now, I’m pretty sure he will manage further than yesterday’s 1350m.”

O’Halloran kicked Able Red off at Goulburn on July 5 when he ran second in a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) on a heavy track.

“I was happy with his run that day and he had taken nice improvement going into Wyong,” O’Halloran said.

“Unfortunately he drew wide yesterday and his rider Shaun Guymer had to take his medicine when he couldn’t get cover.

“He didn’t bustle him before making his move from the 600m and Able Red did a good job to win.”

Able Red’s triumph was O’Halloran’s seventh winner of the season, equalling the number he prepared last year.

“That’s a good result considering I don’t have a lot of horses who are up and running at present,” he said.

“The majority of the team are yearlings, and hopefully Able Red can continue to take further improvement as he gets up in distance.”