Next NSW Race

Latest News

Cave's Surprise At Monsieur's Heavy Comfort Zone

By Ray Hickson

There’s no denying the wet track credentials of Monsieur Sisu but his trainer Paul Cave admits to being a little surprised the gelding is so comfortable when it comes to heavy ground.

The four-year-old has recorded all three of his career wins on heavy tracks, at Canterbury and Warwick Farm, and finished in the placings at Randwick in his other two attempts.

For the third successive time this preparation Monsieur Sisu tackles the Randwick mile and he’s attracted good support at $3.70 on Thursday with TAB in the Nathan’s Famous Handicap (1600m).

“He’s a big striding horse, one wouldn’t think he’d like the wet,’’ Cave said.

“I don’t think he goes quicker in it, he just runs the same sort of race. If you’re up on the pace it’s harder to run you down on a wet track.’’

In his three wins Monsieur Sisu has settled no further back than third and Cave is hoping jockey Kathy O’Hara can make good use of barrier two and control her own destiny.

But if he is to lead Cave says it’s crucial that it’s the horse making that decision.


Monsieur Sisu runs third at Randwick on June 22

“The whole thing with leading is it’s got be natural, if you’re driving their ears off to find the lead you’ll get a different result,’’ he said.

“I’d like him to be very handy. He got back a little bit the other day, a little further than he normally would but he finished off well.

“He’s a horse that’s better off in this class, he’s no world beater but he’s a very consistent horse.

“He’s a lot stronger this time in and I’m hoping to get another couple of preps out of him in the winter.’’

Wet track statistics aside, if Monsieur Sisu is to win at Randwick on Saturday he’d follow a pattern that’s seen him taste victory at his fourth run back from a spell for the third consecutive preparation.

Just prior to Christmas he scored fourth-up at a mile at Warwick Farm and last winter he clung on to win over 1900m at Canterbury.

It’s worth noting that the gelding is a dual acceptor, he’s fourth emergency in the JHB Syndications Handicap (1800m).

Cave said it’s his intention to run in the 1600m event but if Randwick happened to come up a heavy 10 on race morning, and there were enough scratchings, he’d consider the longer race with 5kg less.

“I put him in the 1800m in case the track was going to be an utter bog, I thought it’d be good to run with a lesser weight but it doesn’t look like it will be that way,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting

The Latest Racing News

Jones Wouldn't Mind Some Cup Deja Vu With Matusalem (Wagga Friday)

By Ray Hickson Jockey Reece Jones is quietly confident he can pull off a second hit and run mission to ...
Read More

Hawkesbury Cup Perfect Stage For Osipenko's Next Step

By Ray Hickson A slashing first-up run at Group 1 level told the Chris Waller stable that Osipenko is on ...
Read More

Training Partnership Now 'Annabel & Rob Archibald'

Following their recent marriage the Training Partnership formerly registered as 'Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald' has been amended to Annabel ...
Read More

Jockey Overweights - Canterbury (Weds) / Wagga (Thurs & Fri)

Please note the following: CANTERBURY PARK (Wednesday 30th April) Race 8, No.7 - ELEGANT EMPRESS: Nash Rawiller permitted to ride ...
Read More

Canterbury Winners - Tips For Wednesday 30th April

By Ray Hickson Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a ...
Read More
Loading...
Racing NSW Apps
View
Mobile Version
Contact
Forms
Information
Industry Links