Press Statement was too good for his rivals on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: News Corp Australia
- The Daily Telegraph
- May 30, 2015 2:37PM
PRESS Statement maintained his unbeaten record and has been rated a serious horse in the making — but is he ready for the cauldron of Group 1 racing?
This is the conundrum confronting champion trainer Chris Waller after Press Statement led most of the way in the TAB Place Multi Plate (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Press Statement certainly impressed Hall of Fame jockey Jim Cassidy with his stylish win, and the price assessors at TAB Fixed Odds thought enough of the colt’s effort to elevate him to the top of betting at $6 for the Group 1 $500,000 J.J. Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Doomben next Saturday.
But it was telling that Cassidy baulked when asked if the colt was ready for the quick back-up into the Doomben race.
“The longer they leave him the better he will be,’’ was Cassidy’s measured response. “I think come the spring he is going to be a serious horse.
Press Statement is unbeaten in two starts. Picture: Simon BullardSource: News Corp Australia
“If Chris decides to take him to Brisbane, that is his business. But this colt looks and feels quality, he has got gears, and could be a Caulfield Guineas horse.’’
Waller was at Doomben on Saturday but would have watched with interest as Press Statement ($1.80 favourite) scored by a half length from a game Shards ($9), with four lengths to So Willie ($3.50) third.
TAB FIXED ODDS BETTING: J.J. ATKINS STAKES
Press Statement is a half-brother to Pressday, winner of the 2010 J.J. Atkins Stakes (then T.J. Smith Stakes) and Waller’s first Group 1 juvenile winner.
The champion trainer will be tempted to attempt an equine family double with Press Statement next Saturday although stable representative Liam Prior was non-committal about the quick back-up.
“It was good to see him do it today,’’ Prior said. “I’m sure Chris will want to see how the colt pulls up and then have a good think about Brisbane over the next couple of days.’’
Jim Cassidy says Press Statement could develop into a star in the spring.Source: Getty Images
Prior said the plan wasn’t to lead on Press Statement but praised Cassidy for seizing the initiative early in the race.
“That is why you put Jim Cassidy on these horses because he is so good tactically,’’ Prior said. “Jim got Press Statement to relax nicely and then quicken up well in the straight.
“I don’t think the race was ever really in doubt and there was a good margin to the third horse.’’
Cassidy said when none of his rival riders were keen to lead early, he was happy to urge Press Statement to the front-running role.
“I pushed the button, cleared them, went to the front and took bad luck out of the equation,’’ Cassidy said. “We were then able to stack them up a bit before working home from the 500m.
“He was safely holding the second horse and could have won by a lot further if we wanted to put the pressure to him. I can see this colt being a headline horse in the spring.’’
