TURNING potential into optimum performance can be a fine line.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just ask Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly.
Donnelly is the trainer of promising staying three-year-old filly Classic Vogue who lines up in the Vision Screenprinting Benchmark 55 Handicap (2000m) at Albury on Saturday.
The daughter of Irish stallion Mastercraftsman steps from her encouraging debut over 1300m straight to 2000m at only her second career start.
Donnelly doesn’t hide his opinion of the filly stating she is a galloper “with plenty of upside.”
Despite the strong influence of the European style of training in Australia over the past decade, Donnelly is stepping away from the norm, the previously accepted methodology.
“Her first run was over an unsuitable journey for her but she ran really well,” Donnelly maintained.
“She’s a big strong filly who is already looking for ground.
“It was a pretty weak field she met last start and she didn’t have a lot of experience and the distance was always the worry.
“She’d only had the one trial when she first came in (May) and another trial before she debuted.
“She was an August foal and wasn’t broken in until this time last year.
“She’s a staying type and needed that time to develop.”
Sent out as a $9 chance in a 1300m maiden on her home track at Wagga on debut on September 19, Classic Vogue, with apprentice Rebeka Prest in the saddle, weaved between runners over the final 150m to go under by the barest of margins.
Donnelly admitted the stout filly has needed a three week break since that effort to recover fully.
“It took a bit out of her,” Donnelly added.
“On Saturday she gets up to a more suitable distance.
“I’ve been pleased with the way she’s trained on.
“Rebeka has ridden her work and she’s done well.
“Admittedly she’s taking on horses that have won on Saturday but I’ve got a bit of confidence in her.”
Classic Vogue, out of the Archregent Mare Wild Violet, was bred by part-owner Don Neale from Sydney who has raced several other horses under Donnelly’s care.
Classic Vogue is nominated for the $1 million Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday of Cup week.
TAB have the Donnelly-trained mare at $101.
