Courageous galloper Attractable has delivered young trainer Sara Ryan one of, if not the biggest win of her training career when taking out Friday’s $150,000 Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m).
Ridden by Andrew Gibbons, the Wyong galloper commenced nicely from gate nine, and the pair sat second, just on the outside of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Stonecoat.
It remained that order until the big field turned for home, and while Stonecoat ($3.60) found nothing on the Coffs Harbour straight, Attractable ($17) went to the front and held on gamely from the Joe Pride-trained King of the Castle (Jake Bayliss, $3.70) in second and the Peter and Will Hulbert-trained Hail Manhattan (Mark Du Plessis, $61) in third.
Ryan believes it was Attractable’s toughness that proved the difference on the day.
“He is a bloody tough horse, and the good thing about him is that he always runs with his heart,” Ryan told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
It was a good ride by Gibbons, who didn’t let Stonecoat get away with cheap sectionals, allowing Attractable to go on with the job down the home straight.
“Me and Gibbo have quite a good relationship, and the good thing with him is that he rides to instruction without a shadow of a doubt,” Ryan said.
“My instructions to Andrew were to watch Regan’s (Bayliss) race and do exactly what he did, and it was a terrific ride.
“He even called me up after the race and said it was the easiest ride he has had, and we were very lucky to have him riding.”
The I Am Invincible gelding had won back-to-back events over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens in June and July before finishing fourth in the 1800m Benchmark 88 Handicap at Royal Randwick on July 15.
Despite his stellar metropolitan form, the five-year-old drifted in the markets on Friday after opening single figures on Wednesday.
“I think the price was a lot to do with me being an inexperienced trainer, but the horse felt the best he’s ever felt,” Ryan said.
“I ride him every single day, and he’s never felt so strong, and I was quietly confident.
“Plus, I think he is the most confident he has ever been, and this is the longest prep he has had, and he was ready for a big run.”
The win guarantees Attractable a start in the $3 million Big Dance, which will be run and won over the 1600m journey at Royal Randwick on November 7.
“It’s quite incredible; it is probably my career highlight, and to do it with a horse I love, it’s absolutely fantastic,” Ryan said.
“It was always in the back of my mind that we could win it, but I wasn’t sure if we could pull it off, but we did, and I’m forever grateful to my team that made it possible.”
In terms of the Big Dance and lead-up races for Attractable, Ryan hadn’t thought that far ahead, and was still enjoying her Coffs Harbour Cup victory.
“I haven’t worked anything out just yet,’ Ryan laughed.
I’ll bring him home, and he’ll definitely head to the paddock for a little while.
“All our horses in the paddock do some dressage and keep busy, and we’ll bring him back and keep him ticking over for the Big Dance.”
Second-placegetter, King of the Castle, which flashed home late, will also race at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November and will most likely head towards the $750,000 Little Dance.
For more on the Big Dance, click here.
For Coffs Harbour results, click here.
