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Growl ready to take out Cups double 24 / 02 / 2010
THE David Hayes-trained Growl will attempt to become only the second horse in over two decades to clinch the AAMI Hobart-Launceston Cup double when he steps out in the second leg at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston today.
Growl demolished a star-studded field in the Hobart Cup 16 days ago and while he goes up significantly in weight (up 3kg) he will appreciate the small field of eight runners and is well suited to the additional 200 metres of today's event.
The gelding stayed in Tasmania after the Hobart Cup win and settled in well at Michael Trinder's Spreyton training facility.
Hayes' assistant trainer Gary Fennessey also stayed in the state to prepare the horse for the Launceston Cup and he believes the six-year-old has improved since his latest outing.
"He appears to be enjoying it down here in Tassie and if anything I'd say he's improved a bit, but he would want to because he's got an extra three kilograms," Fennessey said.
He doesn't require a lot of work in between runs and even though he's a tough sort of horse he doesn't cop a lot of work," he said.
It could develop into a race of tactics and the Hayes stable is well aware of that fact.
With only eight runners and a good barrier Growl's rider Brad Rawiller will have the ability to go forward and sit just off the pace if we wishes or of there is no pace he can lead to ensure the race is sun to suit.
The main danger to Growl is De Fine Lago that was a luckless second in the Hobart Cup and local hope Dream Pedlar, that finished third in Hobart, looms as a genuine chance to make it a home town victory in the $300,000 Group 3 race over 2400 metres.
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