Two different trainers, two different mares…sharing the same home base with one common goal…give Saturday’s $1m Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final a red-hot crack.
Pre-post markets rated Ticklebelly ($26 – Scott Collings) and Sass ‘N’ Cheek ($51- Pat Murphy) more ‘wing and a prayer’ chances than anything but both Goulburn trainers are excited at the opportunity that awaits.
Collings who’s always happy to let his horses do the talking says just being there with Ticklebelly and connections on Saturday is a big result.
“Qualifying for the final is like a win for sure! Win, lose or draw just for the experience.”
Collings’ charge snared the last available spot in Saturdays’ final courtesy of a bold on pace win in the Southern Wildcard at Goulburn, the trainer explaining what stood out for him that day.
“Just how strong she is. She puts herself there ready for the fight and she just doesn’t lay down.”
Despite the hype around Saturday’s final Collings has been happy to keep it all low key with the mare since her Goulburn win.
“She hasn’t done a hell of a lot, just ticking her over, she had a nice bit of work at home on Tuesday morning and she is rock hard fit.”
Sass ‘N’ Cheek found finals fever as first alternate via the SERA qualifier at Nowra, Pat Murphy indicating it was far from a surprise result.
“I went to the races that day confident that she would run a really good race”, Murphy offered.
The trainer happy with how things have panned out from as far back as November really.
“She booked her ticket in November when she won the Highway, so then it became a juggling act as she could only run a certain number of races to qualify, and I had to get her through from November to February.”
Murphy says despite the long lead in since, the timing couldn’t be better.
“I am really happy with her coming into the big one.”
The trainer says she’s a beauty to train with mare’s temperament and best assets now proven.
“She’s very easy to train, great to have around, a stable favourite! She is very tough, never really runs a bad race and handles all track conditions.”
Despite it being five weeks since the SERA Qualifier Murphy says getting her ready for Saturday hasn’t been too stressful.
“She is a proven fresh horse. I have given her two official barrier trials and then one last workout mid-week on the course proper (at home).”
No one needs to draw pictures on how they got there though, what matters is… they’re in!
In the race and in the right type of form to leave it all out on the track come Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
Photos: Bradley Photo’s
