You won’t have to look hard for a heart-warming headline if jockey Glyn Schofield wins next month’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on Zoutenant.
Schofield booted home Zoutenant in Thursday’s Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) and reminded punters why the colt deserves to be considered a live hope in next month’s big race on the Gold Coast.
Twelve months ago, Schofield’s late son-in-law Nathan Berry teamed up with Unencumbered to win the Wyong feature, then complete the Magic Millions double up north.
Schofield didn’t need reminding what a special afternoon it would be if he could win the race that arguably made the racing world sit up and take notice of Nathan.
Sadly, the young hoop lost his life a few months later to Norse syndrome.
“If our numbers are written in the stars, then what will be will be. It would be fantastic,’’ Schofield said. “There’s only one person I’ll be riding for, and that’s Nathan.’’
Zoutenant was sent out the $2.40 favourite, and despite being fitted with blinkers to keep his mind on the job, still did his best to throw the race away when he shied at the post.
While the Schofield-Berry link will generate plenty of headlines in the coming weeks, so, too, will the feel-good story of trainer Kevin Moses, the self-confessed ‘’little Aussie battler’’ who continues to produce winners with limited runners.
The 62-year-old has 16 horses in work, and at $100,000 Zoutenant is his most expensive.
Moses knows half the battle to surviving in the tough Sydney market is good stock from good owners. Big race wins helps owners take notice.
Zoutenant had a good blow after the race and will improve again. He settled back anf then motored throug a gap.
Moses indicated the colt wouldn’t have another run before the January 10 summer feature.
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