Murray Bridge trainer Peter Hardacre has spelled his exciting debut winner Press Down to target 3yo feature races at the Adelaide Autumn Carnival.
Press Down launched a last-to-first finish to land the Adelaide Event Catering Maiden (1000m) at his home track last Friday. Given time to find his feet from an outside barrier, the Press Statement gelding scouted wide in the straight and flew home when let down by Eran Boyd.
“He had won a Morphettville trial and I told anyone who would listen that he could win first-up,” Hardacre said. “I don’t have a big team but he’s the best horse I’ve saddled. He’s over 16 hands and still filling out. He’s put on a stack of weight and another break will do him the world of good.
“He’s still green and that turn of foot made all the difference last week. He’s not a 1000m horse so watch out when he’s gets out to 1400m. There’s a nice race in him and I’m looking forward to his next prep in the autumn.”
Press Down is raced by his Naracoorte breeder Ian Perkins with a large stable syndicate. His dam Down The Corridor (Invincible Spirit) has also foaled the Hardacre-trained winners Little Heath (Reward For Effort) and Three Tears (Helmet).
Down The Corridor is from a half-sister to SAJC Tattersalls Cup (LR, 1600m) winner High Royale and her 2yo filly by Press Statement has just come back into work with Hardacre.
In Melbourne, Press Statement’s visiting mare Roots has been nominated for the VRC Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) at Flemington next Tuesday. Roots had won at Warwick Farm and Canterbury prior to a long-neck second in the MVRC Tesio Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
Press Statement has sired 95 winners of 214 races in his first three crops and he stands for a service fee of $8,800 (inc GST) at Vinery. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
