Promising sprinter Big Money stormed home late to win the 2014 Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm this afternoon and will press on to the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 9.
Big Money scored a narrow win over Cape Kidnappers and Seeking More in the 2014 Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Adebisi jumped from the gates strongly in trademark fashion and made sure that the race was run at a good clip, while favourites Big Money, Cape Kidnappers and Bennetta were settled towards the tail of the field.
Kelso Wood-trained Seeking More hit the front at the 300 metre mark and kicked away from the rest of the field, but Big Money and Cape Kidnappers finishing off the top of the gelding; with Big Money turning-the-tables on the Lightning Handicap winner.
Big Money was easily the smallest horse in the Healy Stakes, but jockey Robert Thompson said that the Choisir gelding had a big heart and he was thrilled with the way that he finished off the Group 3 event.
“His mother was only very small, I won a couple of races on her down in Sydney, and this little fellow can really go,” Thompson said.
“I was going to get back and they went a millions miles an hour and I was off the bit a little bit coming around the corner, but to his credit he knuckled down and finished the race off very well.
“He is a very honest, little horse and his trainer Rod Northam has done a terrific job with him.”
Northam was full of confidence in the lead-up to the Healy Stakes and the Scone-based trainer said that he was not worried that Big Money was almost ten lengths behind Adebisi coming around the final turn.
The Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) has always been the major winter goal for Big Money and Northam confirmed that his star sprinter would press on to the Listed event that will be run in Grafton in just over two weeks’ time.
“They were flying and I wasn’t too worried when he was back,” Northam said.
“Coming around the final turn I saw that Robert was easing him out and he seemed to be travelling and I was pretty confident.
“It is a really good win and that will set him up nicely for Grafton.
“We have been trying to keep him winning and keep him confident.”
Thompson and Northam will have the opportunity to score another win at Group level when they combine with Myamira in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm this afternoon.
