O'Brien Makes Interesting Chess Move
- Thursday, 12 November 2009 01:45
Canberra trainer Steve O'Brien has made an interesting move with handy sprinter Chess by targeting the $50,000 Snake Gully Cup first-up at Gundagai on Friday.
On the same day 12 months ago Chess scored a strong win in the Snake Gully Flying (1000m) giving O'Brien his first win at Gundagai.
"He was nominated for the Sprint again this year but he's shown in his work he might want further now he's older and more mature," O'Brien said.
"I've brought him up slowly this time, haven't put any pressure on him, even when he had a jumpout recently.
"He hasn't been showing that lightning speed he's got and after discussions with the owners, we decided to have a crack at the 1400 metres first-up.
"Chess has drawn good (barrier three), he's well weighted (55.5kg) and is going well. The only question is 1400 metres first-up."
Chess arrived at O'Brien's stables following his maiden win for Tony Sergi.
The six-year-old gelding, raced by Darren Williams, his father Harold, close friend Adam Teer and O'Brien's partner Jodi Hamilton, has won nine races from 31 starts and more than $130,000 in prizemoney.
"He's been a darn handy horse for us. We got him after he'd won a maiden at Queanbeyan after 14 starts," O'Brien said.
"And it's the first horse Darren, Harold and Adam have raced.
"He's won some handy country races including the Camarena at Canberra and we're hopeful there are more wins to come."
Chess has an excellent fresh record with three wins and a second from six first-up attempts.
The Strategic gelding is capable of either leading or taking a sit.
"He does most things right," O'Brien said.
"You can either lead with him or he can relax, take a sit and switch on when asked.
"With tomorrow's draw he should be able to take a sit handy to the lead.
"As I said earlier, first-up over the 1400 metres is the question mark but I'm happy with how he's going."
O'Brien said fellow Canberra-trained gallopers Asquick Aszariz and Happy Finish were the horses to beat.
"Asquick Aszariz will put himself in the race handy and Matthew Dale's horse Happy Finish is obviously going well," O'Brien said.
"It's the horses like them down in the weights and possibly (first reserve) Trescorpioni, if he gets a start, I fear most."
