By Ray Hickson
Trainer Greg Hickman is using a theory with untapped three-year-old Rari that saw a stablemate go on a winning streak earlier this year when he resumes at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
That stablemate is Eleven Eleven and Hickman can only hope Rari starts his own rise through the grades in the Killahy Equine Handicap (1000m) after being thrown in the deep end in his first preparation.
“I think 1000m could be a little bit short for him but he’s well and if you go to 1000m he won’t go out there and over race,’’ Hickman said.
“He’s a similar type of horse to Eleven Eleven. He needs to learn what to do.’’
Rari made his debut at Randwick on Anzac Day and was beaten a length by Reloaded, he was then beaten just over a length at Warwick Farm behind Mocambo before running fifth to Splintex.
Those were some solid off-season two-year-old races so Rari’s Hawkesbury assignment, where he was $4 with TAB on Wednesday, is a step down but Hickman isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We have a bit of an opinion of him but he is still green and does a lot wrong,’’ he said.
Rari’s latest trial at Warwick Farm on October 8
“We are trying to educate him, even though you’re bringing him back in grade some of them are like a Wednesday race anyway at this time of year.
“He’s come back pretty good, he’s had a couple of trials and they’ve just been quiet trials and I was happy with them. I do think he will be a better horse on a wet track and with blinkers on too.’’
Hickman’s TAB Everest runner Pierata is likely to remain in Sydney for Saturday week’s $1m Redzel Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Golden Eagle Day.
Pierata pulled up with a black eye after he finished fifth, beaten 1.6 lengths by Yes Yes Yes, and how it recovers will be the telling factor in where his next run is.
The trainer said races like the Redzel and The Hunter, while it is a handicap, have given him plenty to think about as to where his stable star continues his preparation.
“His fourth run is his best run in so we will find something,’’ he said.
“I haven’t gone past the Redzel just yet, I don’t think you can pass up those types of races when $580,000 to the winner is not a bad earn.
“He’s pulled up not too bad, the biggest problem is we got hit in the eye with a stick or a clod so we are looking after it.’’
Pierata has won his last three fourth-up attempts – the Magic Millions Guineas, last year’s Sydney Stakes and the All Aged Stakes in the autumn – and he’s the early $3.50 favourite for the Redzel.
All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s meeting at Hawkesbury