PATIENCE is regarded as the backbone of preparing racehorses. Ask Bart Cummings. Oh,no, that’s right, you can’t ask Bart any more. He thought patience was the greatest element in horses and the element least utilized.
Caloundra trainer Paul Duncan leans more to Bart than the late Tommy Smith. LE HEROS scored a brilliant Ipswich win for the former Kiwi horseman against his own better principles. He had the attractive Kermedec gelding coming up nicely in its current preparation and ready to win, but when he drew wide earlier in the week Paul scratched him.
When Le Heros again drew an outside gate at Ipswich Paul decided he’d held back long enough and decided to run regardless. It proved sound judgment — Le Heros jumped brilliantly, sat outside the leader and cleared away to score with plenty to spare.
Le Heros was well ridden with judgment by Kiwi jockey Sam Collett, making a great fist of her re-location from Matamata to Brisbane. It was one of three winning rides for the plucky Sammy on the programme.
“He’s come up better than in any previous preparation,” said the Sunny Coast horseman. Although he has always looked a speed horse, Le Heros looked at Ipswich like a horse that would have won at least at 1400m and probably further. “I am keen to try him at further,” said his trainer, “and oddly enough a “pedigree export” came to me earlier this year and said after a close took at his pedigree this horse could find his form right through to 2400m.
” I’m not sure about that, but I am interested to try him at 1600m and possibly beyond.”
Interesting times ahead.