Geoff Woodruff with Killua Castle
Geoff Woodruff fields a three-pronged attack in today’s J&B Met, including Triple Crown champion, Louis The King. Daughter Lucinda has been care-taking the Cape Town string and there has also been a bit of help from a rather special work rider. We catch up with the current Gauteng Champion Trainer to find out how the nerves are holding up.
How are you feeling about the big race?
The preparation has been pretty smooth, for all three of them in fact. They all look bright and breezy, they’ve got decent blood counts and have all scoped clean – I’m very pleased with what I see in front of me. Now we’re just hoping for a true run race and a bit of luck in running.
We’ve heard that Louis has had a rather special work rider?
Basil Marcus has been Louis’ work rider
Basil Marcus has sort of taken Louis under his wing and he’s been a wonderful help. He has a wealth of experience, he’s ridden good horses and he knows what horses should feel like when they’re well. His feedback has been very positive.
Piere Strydom is really looking forward to riding Louis again. He was happy with his effort in the Queen’s Plate, but felt he’d just needed the run. He didn’t feel they were making inroads on Futura. Perhaps I saw it differently, because I thought he was, but perhaps that was the camera angle. My feeling was that Futura possibly got the first run on him, leaving him a bit flat footed. Also, we were still stuck behind Ashton Park and Tellina. They had the running on the outside fence and Futura got a clean run down the inside, which I think is what won him the race. But Piere was very happy with the run, he had a nice blow and he’s recovered fairly quickly, which is good. Piere hasn’t ridden him since, but Basil says it’s brought him on a good couple of lengths.
Tellina
The Silvano colt Tellina is very special
Tellina was our first ‘big’ horse when the yard started turning and so he is very special to us. Gavin Lerena will be riding him again on Saturday and he was very happy with the feel he gave him in the Queen’s Plate. Obviously we’re expecting the horse to improve on that run. He just needs a bit of luck – he’s certainly due for some. He’s always found a few too good for him so far, but he’s a horse that’s been knocking on the Gr1 door and one day it’s going to happen for him.
Champion apprentice Akash Aucharuz takes the ride on Killua Castle. Has he ridden at Kenilworth before?
Killua Castle is in capable hands
I don’t think so, but he’s a really sensible young man and I don’t think the course will pose any problems for him. He’s ridden at Clairwood which was a very similar type of track and he’s got a couple of rides before the Met, so he’ll have a chance to work it out. He has been a great success for us over the years actually. As an apprentice we always tried to give him rides. He finished his apprenticeship with 100 winners and he’s a more than capable young man.
Tell us about your Majorca Stakes runner, Arcetri Pink
Arcetri Pink – an honest, honest filly
She’s doing really well at home, but it’ll be a very, very tough race for her – we’ll be happy with a place if we could get it. She’s a good filly and if the track was just a bit softer than it is, I’d be more confident. They’re talking about rain, but I don’t think it will be meaningful enough to make a difference. But she’s always there trying and is just an honest, honest filly.
