Wood Praises Stradbroke Winning Rider

Saturday, 12 November 2011 04:00

Trainer Kelso Wood paid tribute to Jason Taylor after the Gold Coast rider completed a hat-trick of wins aboard Seek And Find at Eagle Farm.

Ridden patiently off a dawdling speed, Taylor waited until rounding the home turn before making a winning move on Seek And Find who downed Ready To Rip by a long neck in Saturday's Height 4 Hire Handicap (1000).

Wood believes Taylor, who scored his biggest victory aboard Sincero in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June, is riding in career-best form.

"He doesn't get enough accolades for my liking," Wood said.

"Jason has got a very good strike rate on my horses and he rode this horse perfectly."

Wood now plans to set Seek And Find for the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast in January.

"He's the classic story of a horse racing well after maturing late," Wood said.

"There's a 1000-metre race on Magic Millions day which I'll aim him for but I'll have to see whether he may need another run beforehand.

"He's done a good job to win his last three starts for Jason and I don't want to bust him before the Magic Millions race."

Runner-up Ready To Rip produced a brilliant performance at only his second start back from a break after failing in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.

Trainer Andrew Williamson felt Ready To Rip was unlucky not to win after having a run close on him in the straight.

"It was a great run considering they walked early and then sprinted from the 800 metres," Williamson said.

"A gap he tried to get through didn't open quick enough and then it closed suddenly on him.

"He was a victim of circumstances and should have won."

Williamson always feared the 1000-metre trip would prove too short for Ready To Rip who will step up in distance next start to the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm in two weeks.

"He'll improve after this run and 1200 metres will be right up his alley next start," Williamson said.

Ready To Rip is being aimed at the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 10 and the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.