XAARPHONIC tuned up for his crack at the $80,000 XXXX Geraldton Cup on Sunday with a sizzling gallop at Ascot on Tuesday morning. It was that fast-the grass started smoking and set the smoke detectors in the grandstand off!
Working from the 1400m going a steady evens on the main grass, he increased his speed at the 600m and really quickened the last furlong finishing off a flying solo gallop towards the outside fence. He went 34.5 seconds the last 600m and I doubt any other horse would have gone quicker on the morning.
Trainer Kevin McAuley was delighted with the work and jockey Peter Black (pictured) said it was identical work to what the horse produced four days before his Saturday win a week and a half ago. The veteran jockey who is making a spirited comeback to race riding said that there won’t be a more confident person at the races on Sunday than him.
Let’s hope he’s right!
Peter Morley