The pace is expected to be hot in Saturday’s Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Sandown and trainer Michael Hickmott hopes it plays into the hands of his talented sprinter Taunting.
The four-year-old was terrific winning the Listed Hills Railways Stakes at Oakbank in April before fighting on pretty well when things didn’t quite work out for him in the Wangoom Handicap during the Warrnambool carnival.
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“He just found himself in an awkward spot and didn’t appreciate where he was – the race just didn’t pan out for him,” Hickmott said.
“It’s not like he dropped out and ran nowhere, so I wasn’t filthy on the horse.
“As funny as it sounds, I always thought he was as good a wet tracker as I’ve had but a Heavy 8 at Morphettville is different to a Heavy 10 at Warrnambool.
“Mark that down as a life lesson learnt.”
The Murray Bridge trainer said Taunting has come through the Wangoom well and thinks he’ll be better suited back to 1000m on a track set to be rated in the soft range, with regular jockey Jessica Eaton also going across the border for the ride.
Taunting delivers the Hills Railway Stakes for @mhbloodstock and @jessikate93 ???????? pic.twitter.com/nb1l63rPGU
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) April 8, 2023
“I think he’s in the right type of race, his work this week has been really good,” he said.
“The race maps as if there’s going to be a heap of speed. Esta La Roca, Sartorial Splendour, Katsu and Starry Legend – there’s four, possibly five horses with that Mouse Almighty, who are all going to go quick.
“Hopefully he can find their back and get a drag into the race.”
Taunting is rated a $6.50 chance for the Bel Esprit with the TAB, the third pick behind Grahame Begg’s Katsu ($1.85) and Black Caviar’s daughter Invincible Caviar ($4).
“I think it’s a race that profiles really well for him,” Hickmott said.
“Obviously Katsu is a very impressive young horse with one of the best trainers in Australia, in my opinion. He has to be given a heap of respect.”
Hickmott also saddles up some interesting runners at Murray Bridge on Saturday, including Verimli and Pontedera.
The former is a European import who flashed some ability in Victoria but is yet to fire in two starts since being transferred to South Australia.
“I’m hoping that you see the real horse (on Saturday),” Hickmott said.
“He just got in behind them the other day and didn’t have a dip. His run at Oakbank he got knocked down twice.
“I’m not trying to make too many excuses for the horse, but it’s a race he should run well in.”
Pontedera continues to race in terrific form – he’s been top two in his past six runs – and Hickmott expects him to be thereabouts in the sixth race again.
“He’s going really well this horse but he’s drawn a sticky gate (10),” he said.
“I’ve got huge respect for Outback Action and Picargo. If he got beat by one of those, I’d still call it a pass mark but I do think this horse is in a really good zone.
“He’s a very good each-way bet, I can’t see him running outside the top three.”