Wall Street Could Crash Next Year's Cox Plate
- Thursday, 12 November 2009 03:59
Victorious in six of his nine starts, the last five on end, Wall Street will now go to the paddock for a richly deserved spell and if all goes to plan on his return he could be competing at the sharp end in the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) next year.
Lynds, who recently saddled Vosne Romanee to win the $1.2 million Kelt Capital Stakes with Lammas on board, said "It's a great thrill. With each race he gets better and better, and although we need to sit down and work out a plan, he would be an ideal Cox Plate horse."
"He is potentially a very, very good horse."
Lynds is no stranger to conditioning a horse to contest the heavyweight weight-for-age Australasian classic, having trained Marconee to finish sixth to Octagonal in the 1995 Cox Plate.
While there needs to be plenty of water under the bridge before such a happening, there is no doubt with what Wall Street has displayed in the manner of his victories that he has the potential to measure up.
Lammas said what makes him the best horse he has ridden is his sprint.
"I did have a little bit of concern today because when I first asked him to go it wasn't there, but the way he can sprint off the mark is his greatest attribute", said Lammas.
"He normally gets a little bit hot and is still a bit nervy. I have to talk to him and get him to relax and once around at the start he was fine", said Lammas, sentiments echoed by Lynds.
"It was his first trip away and he'll improve a lot for it", Lynds said.
Lammas thought the impending spell would do the horse the world of good.
"He's ready for a break now. It will give his head a chance to have a break and he can have a think about what he's been doing."
Lynds gave Lammas high praise as a rider, saying, "He's cool, calm and calculated and has a terrific disposition for a jockey."
After Wall Street had won over a mile at Hastings on Kelt Day, Lynds had said he had all the attributes of a good horse, with an ability to put himself in the race and a terrific turn of speed at the finish; exactly the traits he displayed to win on this occasion.
Away swiftly to settle handy one off the fence, Wall Street ranged to lead on the home turn, held an advantage at the 250 metres, and when Lammas asked him for a serious effort he kicked two lengths clear inside the final furlong, keeping up a strong gallop to the line.
Wall Street vindicated his $3.00 favouritism with the win, while second favourite Tell A Tale should have lost no admirers with his performance for second.
The brilliant 2000 Guineas winner from last season, Tell A Tale was unable to execute the electric acceleration he has displayed in the past, yet still performed admirably and appears likely to improve further with the run.
Finishing in third place was an outsider, The Twist, who had finished second in the Winter Cup at Riccarton in August.
The winning margin was one and a half lengths, by half a neck, with the mile covered in 1:34.45, last 600 metres in 34.47.
Purchased as a yearling by Paul Moroney for $100,000 at the 2006 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale, Wall Street ended up in the Awapuni stable of Lynds following a visit to nearby Massey University for veterinary attention, and the star galloper has remained in the Central Districts for owners G G Syndicate Ltd, G K V Holdings Ltd & M A Head.
