There have been plenty of mouse clicks at Long Forest Rd as Andy Gath, trainer of Great Southern Star favourite Tornado Valley, scours the latest challenger to his gelding’s crown.
“I watched most of his replays last night, Marcoola, and there’s no doubt he’s a quality horse,” Gath said.
“He can run the times that Tornado Valley can run, he’s got terrific speed, he’s got good strength as well, but Tornado Valley, you’ve got to beat him, and whether he’s got that will to win to really knuckle down and get him at the finish time will tell.”
Gath said Tornado Valley, a modest performer in New Zealand but winner of 18 of 22 since joining his stable near Melton, was well conditioned for a strong showing tonight.
“When things aren’t broken we try and keep things the same. He trialled (at Melton Wednesday) and trialled quite nice, which we expect him to do.”
He said the TAB Inter Dominion win, when Tornado Valley survived a bold late challenge from Sky Petite to win by 1m, had only emboldened confidence that he could lead, sustain pressure and win over the long distance.
“He did have to burn the first 200 or 300m and fast lead times can take a lot out of a horse,” Gath said.
“I was still pretty happy with his run in the Inter Dominion, the second horse just ran out of her skin, Sky Petite, she had to run the last mile in 1:55 to get that close to him.
“Kate never felt at any stage he was going to get beaten. He’s probably got a little more lackadaisical than he has been in the past, he sort of waits for them a little bit more.”
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