FORMER Victorian galloper Satan’s Chariot, the half-brother to Whobegotyou, continues to amaze trainer John Sprague with his progress as he readies the horse for Friday’s $17,000 Coca-Cola Cup (1206m) at Port Macquarie.
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“Every time Gabby (apprentice Gabrielle Coleman) or Peter (Graham) ride him in work they come back and tell me he has improved further,” Sprague said.
“He is one of those horses that is a dream to train. He is so relaxed and laid back and nothing worries him.”
Satan’s Chariot, raced by the locally-based Bucking Brumbies syndicate, has been impressive in winning his only two starts for the stable, both at Port Macquarie. He was bought after seven runs in Victoria with his best effort a second at Ararat.
Satan’s Chariot is a half brother, by Strada, to the former multiple Group winning galloper Whobegotyou who amassed more than $3.4 million in earnings and won the 2008 Caulfield Guineas.
“We are not kidding ourselves that he will live up to those deeds but I think he is going to become the stable star,” Sprague said. “Horses of this calibre don’t come into country stables every day.
“I nominated him for a Class Two at Gosford but he would have been meeting horses of a similar calibre to the horses he is up against on Friday.
“I thought it better to keep him at home walk him across the road for this race rather than haul him down to Gosford in the heat.
“Friday’s race is a test to see how he measures up to this harder company.
“If he runs well and pulls up well then we will head for either Wyong or Gosford.”
Peter Graham, who has ridden the horse to his two wins, retains the ride. The cup has attracted 21 nominations with acceptances declared this morning.
More coverage of the meeting, plus fields and selections, in Friday’s Port News.