By Ray Hickson
It’s not what we’re used to seeing lately from promising galloper I’ve Bean Tryin’ but jockey Ellen Hennessy is confident the decision to race in a more forward position will give the gelding his best chance in Saturday’s $500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford.
The Country Championships Final placegetter has been dictated to by wide barriers in his autumn preparation and Hennessy said after a discussion with trainer Matthew Kelley this week she’s more than happy to try a different approach.
Hennessy, who has won twice on the four-year-old, is keen to get back on board after having to miss his barnstorming Warwick Farm win over the mile on April 19.
“He’s drawn wide again so hopefully by going forward we can get the bad luck out of the equation,’’ Hennessy said.
“Hopefully if Military Expert kicks up we’ll be sitting fourth or fifth and hopefully not much further back than that.
“He’s a very adaptable horse. Sometimes he doesn’t jump the best, or he jumps good but can be a bit slow into stride.
“A couple of times in previous races when I’ve given him a good dig out he’s responded well and he doesn’t over race when you give him a dig.”
I’ve Bean Tryin’, $17 with TAB on Thursday, has drawn 11 in the 13 horse field but Hennessy said she’d love the opportunity, if the horse breaks cleanly, to slide across.
She said she’d like to make use of the expected speed from Attractable, who he beat at Warwick Farm, and Zoe’s Promise who have drawn nearby.
The 24-year-old jockey, who finished her apprenticeship back in February, said I’ve Bean Tryin’ is still untapped and while The Coast is likely his last run for the campaign she’s quietly confident that he has another big performance in him.
“When I won the Highway on him nearly this time last year I really liked him but I knew he would still need a bit of time,’’ she said.
“He’s come back this prep and has gone from strength to strength. I think he is up to it. He’s still improving and his confidence is through the roof.
“I was kicking myself I was suspended when he won at Warwick Farm but it was great to see him win and I’m lucky to be back on him.
“A better barrier and I think he would have won the Country Championships but that’s just the way it is. He runs his heart out every time and tries so hard.”
I've Bean Tryin' wins at Warwick Farm
Hennessy is booked to ride Rondino in the Listed $200,000 Buterin L’Estrange Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) and if the five-year-old lines up it will be her first race ride on Greg Hickman's stayer.
However, she has been on his back a couple of times out at Warwick Farm and knows he will be fitter for his first-up midfield finish behind Cognac over a mile on his home track.
“I jumped him out and I trialled him and he just wasn’t jumping the flashest but his last trial was pretty good and he’s had a run since,’’ she said.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Gosford meeting