Former Victorian trainer Mick Stanley is ready to double-down at his new Menangle base.
Stanley’s gradual move from his property near Ballarat to train out of the on-course Menangle training complex has been a resounding success.
It’s been evidenced in recent weeks with four finalists, including a second placing (Soho Charmer) in the Group 1 NSW Derby, Ubetcha Tigerpie’s upset win over Captains Knock in the Renshaw Cup and now four of the 10 runners in Saturday night’s $100,000 Bathurst Gold Chalice 3YO final.
“I knew I had the best batch of horses I’d ever had, so I started the move during winter last year and then the family moved up as well just before Christmas,” he said.
“As good as the property was back home, I didn’t have facilities, especially the water-walker and treadmill, I’ve got access to here. They’re so great for training.
“Those things, combined with the much better lifestyle I’ve got here with much less travel, it’s been a great move.
“I’m sure it’ll feel even better when things start to get colder in Ballarat as winter gets closer.”
Stanley has 22 in work and is eager to grow that.
“I’m ready for more and I’d like more. My youngest daughter, Annabelle, is right into the horses and I’d like to build something she could move into when she’s a bit older,” he said.
Stanley’s three-year-old crop have led his charge and will again when Soho Charmer, Soho Trump and Soho Park Avenue tackle Saturday night’s Gold Chalice. He also has first emergency Soho Washington in the race.
“I’m lucky to have such a good batch, but maybe a bit unlucky to have struck such an incredible three-year-old crop in general,” he said.
Leading the way is Brad Hewitt’s unbeaten gelding Hollywood Strip, who won the NSW Derby and is $1.50 favourite to stretch his unbeaten streak to 10 races in the Gold Chalice final.
Australia’s other boom three-year-old Loucasso isn’t at Bathurst, but opens his season at Melton on Saturday night.
“It’s a super crop, isn’t it? Unbelievably strong. Really,” Stanley said.
“I’d lean to Soho Charmer as my best hope this week and I’ll drive him. Luke (McCarthy) will be on Soho Park Avenue and Chris Geary will drive Soho Trump,” he said.
Stanley’s best winning hope at Bathurst is two-year-old filly Soho Astar in the $150,000 Group 1 Gold Tiara final. She’s been crunched in from $3.50 to $2.10.
“It wasn’t my money, but I guess she was very impressive winning her heat, is really well bred and I can say she’s the pick of all my two-year-olds at the moment, boys or girls,” he said.
Stanley is still very wary of the Kerry Ann Morris-trained Birdsong, who is unbeaten in three starts, despite her tricky inside back row draw (gate nine).
“She’s the benchmark, even from the draw. She’s fast, tough and versatile,” he said.
Ubetcha Tigerpie became a villain when he denied Captains Knock a record $1 million bonus when he sat outside and narrowly beat him in the Renshaw Cup, the last leg of the NSW Carnival of Cups series, at Penrith last Friday night.
Stanley pushed his case for a potential slot in the upcoming big NZ and Perth slot races after the win.
“I just felt he beat Captains Knock and Max Delight on their merits and they both had slots,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of calls, but nothing concrete yet.”
