King Triton has lost his rider in two of his past three race starts, but trainer Pat Hyland is hopeful that the gelding’s luck can change when he contests the 2015 Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool this afternoon.
King Triton has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool this afternoon. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
King Triton has not recorded a race win since he romped home to record a dominant 20 lengths victory in the Irish Steeplechase (3500m) at Morphettville Parks on August 30 and he lost his rider in the Thomas Foods International Steeplechase (3250m) at Oakbank on March 15 before he did the same in the Great Southern Steeplechase (3200m) at Ballarat on April 23.
Hyland admits that he has been disappointed that King Triton has failed to finish two of his past three race starts, but he is confident that the Elvstroem gelding can produce a better performance in the Brierly Steeplechase with a new jockey in the saddle this afternoon.
“I am expecting him to run great today,” Hyland told RSN.
“He ran fourth in this race last year.
“He hasn’t had much luck this time in, he lost his rider at Oakbank and then he ran fifth when he got into a fair bit of strife in the run and then he lost his rider at Ballarat.
“He has a new jockey on him today and hopefully that will change the luck a bit.
“The horse is in good form and I expect him to run very well.”
King Triton was settled close to the speed in the early stages of the Great Southern Steeplechase before he lost his rider, but has generally been ridden as a get back horse during his racing career to date.
Hyland believes that King Triton performs at his best when he is given the chance to find his feet and he is confident that the hot pace expected in the Brierly Steeplechase will help the winning chances of the seven-year-old.
“I think that he is better when he does,” Hyland said.
“There will probably be nice speed on in this race and he goes around this track very well.
“I think if he can get him to rest a bit in the race he will be a lot better than being up close.”
King Triton is currently available at 2015 Brierly Steeplechase odds of $7 with Ladbrokes and is on the fourth line of betting behind Thubiaan ($2.50), Regina Coeli ($4.60) and Valediction ($6.50).
