An excellent field of country sprinters contested Friday’s $34,000 TAB Federal (1080m) at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park.
In one of the upsets on the seven-race program, the Geoffrey Crothers-trained Who But Roo (Olivia Chambers, $8.50) upstaged his more fancied rivals.
Racing against hot favourite and Kosciuszko hopeful Sister Moon (Jack Martin, $2.20) and other accomplished sprinters such as Miss Ostend (Mathew Cahill, $5) and King Gutho (Danny Beasley, $6), the Goulburn galloper was too good.
Commencing with them from gate four, Chambers took the six-year-old up to second position and sat outside early leader Shores Of Avalon (Billy Owen, $10).
Turning for home, Who But Roo went to the front and won easily from the fast-finishing Miss Ostend, while in third was the Becky Byrne-trained Deep Snow (Emma Ly, $31).
Despite opening a hefty price, Who But Roo was found late, trimming in from $14 to $8.50.
“We were pretty confident, just on his form and low weight,” Crothers told NSW Country and Picnic Racing.
“He had carried 60-odd kilos at his recent runs, and he goes well over that distance.
“The only thing is that we weren’t quite sure of the track; he went all right on the Acton last time, so we thought, ‘Why not’ and put him in, and he ran well.”
Incredibly, Who But Roo lost both his front shoes in the running, but that didn’t slow him up.
“That might have made him feel even lighter,” Crothers quipped.
“He threw his two shoes at the front, and one would think it would slow him up, but he just found another leg.”
The Al Aseel gelding was first-up for Crothers after racing with Mark Gee.
Purchased by Mark Vallender, connections were thrilled with the result, with Who But Roo more or less winning his purchase price back while taking his record to 17 starts for five wins and three minor placings.
“Mark Gee had him, and he did a great job, and he told me he was an honest horse,” Crothers said.
“I’ve only had him three weeks, and he was working fine, eating fine, and that’s why we put him in for the run.
“It’s a different environment here, too, and they go out in the paddock during the day and then back to the stable, and sometimes a change is the best thing for them.”
As far as what’s next for the five-time winner, Crothers has races in mind, but he was just happy to wait and see how his new addition pulled up before pulling up the racing calendar.
As always, it was a good day’s racing at Canberra, with local trainers dominating on the Acton racecourse.
For results, click here.
