The
connections of Caulfield galloper Almighty Yallah are set to be rewarded for their
patience and search for a wet track when he runs in the Hahn Premium Open Handicap (1000m)
at Flemington tomorrow. The gelding's trainer Graham
Woolston said he had been forced to scratch Almighty Yallah a number of times this
preparation in search of a suitable soft surface.
"Hopefully the wait will be worth it," Woolston
said. "His owners have been very patient waiting for the right track
conditions."
Woolston said he came close to running the gelding at
Sandown recently before another problem emerged.
"We would have run at Sandown but he drew barrier
seventeen, right on the outside of the field," he said. "His chances were
bascially hopeless then."
Almighty Yallah, who's unbeaten on heavy tracks and a
multiple winner down the straight track at Flemington, is facing a class rise tomorrow but
connections are confident he will prove more than competitive.
"There's no doubt tomorrow's field is hotter, but with
the light weight and the conditions he must have a really, really good winning
chance," Woolston predicted.
Woolston, who's team is based at Caulfield, said he
expected the top weight Windigo to be hard to beat.
"I think he's the obvious one to beat, but with
conditions to suit and his big weight, it must give us a huge hope of beating him,"
he added.
The last time Almighty Yallah was served up a rain affected
track he ploughed through the heavy conditions to win over 1100 metres at Caulfield two
runs back.
The five-year-old son of Yallah Prince is also well suited
to running after a good break.
"He seems to race pretty well fresh too,"
Woolston summed up.
Meanwhile, the stable will be hoping for a Flemington
double as they saddle up Theatre's half brother Rescato in the preceding race.
"You can basically forget he went around last
start," Woolston said. "He drew an ordinary barrier and wasn't pushed right out
to the line at the end."
"He must be a really good chance at big odds,"
Woolston added. "I won't be leaving him out of my multiples." |