Can Far Too Easy go one better in this year’s edition of The Kosciuszko?
After finishing a gallant second to the Geoff Duryea-trained Front Page in 2022, that will be the question on trainer David McColm’s lips as he continues his five-year-old’s preparations ahead of the $2 million country-only event that will be run and won at Royal Randwick on October 14.
The Murwillumbah trainer is leaving no stone unturned, even unleashing Far Too Easy in an exhibition gallop on his home track last Friday.
Ridden by James Orman, he looked a treat during the run, and McColm was pleased with the effort.
“I’m over the moon; he looked really good today,” McColm told Sky Racing’s Gary Kliese after the gallop.
“We just gave him a stretch out, and Jimmy just got a feel for him; he was up on the bridle and travelled well, and he was really happy with him.”
With Racing NSW announcing the 14 lucky ticket holders on Wednesday, September 6, Far Too Easy is expected to be among the first horses chosen.
McColm said the plan was to head into the race first-up, although the All Too Hard Gelding out of Mnemonic will have two trials in Queensland under his belt if he does contest The Kosciuszko.
“He’ll have those two trials, and he’ll go straight in without a run,” McColm told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
“His first one will be at Beaudesert, which is not ideal for me, but with the way the trials are programmed, that’s where he’ll go, and at this stage, his second one will be at Doomben.”
When asked about his chances and what punters can expect, McColm believes Far Too Easy will be at his best during this preparation.
“I really think that this next 12 months is his time,” McColm told Kleise.
“We’ve really looked after him and tried to do the best for him.
“He’s matured into a really, really nice horse; he hasn’t got any quicker, but boy, he’s got stronger and better.”
It’s been the ride of a lifetime for McColm and connections, with Far Too Easy winning seven times in 17 starts, earning connections just shy of $1 million in prize money.
There was a lot of hype about him in 2021 when he won his first two starts at Grafton by a combined six lengths for the late Chris Caserta.
He then won the Winning Rupert Plate (1200m) at Doomben later that year before his triumph in the Northern Rivers Racing Association Country Championships qualifier (1400m) at Grafton in February 2022.
After finishing a game fourth to Another One in the $500,000 Country Championship final (1400m) at Royal Randwick in April of late year, he was spelled before returning with a win at Doomben (1100m).
After that, he finished second in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) to the Robert Heathcote-trained Prince Of Boom.
His last start was seven weeks ago in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
While drawn wide and forced to go back in the $200,000 event, Orman guided Far Too Easy to a heartbreaking second to The Big Goodbye.
Still, it was an eye-catching effort and enough to suggest he is firing on all six cylinders ahead of The Kosciusko.
“It was a massive effort, I thought, absolutely massive,” McColm said.
“The gate beat him, he had top weight as well, and all those things considered, I thought it was a great run.”
Orman has a good association with Far Too Easy, and McColm was quick to sure up his services.
“I have total confidence in Jimmy; he’s riding really well, and I think that is a real bonus.
“Having him locked in is a real weight off my shoulders, and we are really happy to have him back on board.”
The Kosciuszko ticket holders will be announced on Wednesday, and NSW Country and Picnic Racing will keep readers updated with contenders as they are announced.
