Ronaldo Set For Menangle Look
Reigning WA Derby winner Mighty Ronaldo will get his first look at Menangle in a 1609m trial tomorrow morning, as he continues his build up to Saturday week’s Australian Pacing Gold 4YO Entires and Geldings Final.
The Justin Prentice-trained pacer arrived at Luke McCarthy’s Sydney stable over the weekend ahead of the $210,000 feature on May 7.
Mighty Ronaldo qualified for the feature event by winning the WA heat at Gloucester Park on April 5.
Prentice said he was pleased with how Mighty Ronaldo had settled in his new surroundings.
“I was always told to let the feed bin tell you how they settled in,” he told The Trots WA.
“He’s eating well and he seems well in himself.
“It will be good to get a feel of him at the trials tomorrow.”
The gelding will start from barrier six of eight in the trial, with Prentice to take the drive.
Prentice said his stable star would benefit from the trial and felt he would handle the one-mile track.
“I think he will definitely be better for a run,” he said.
“I was always hoping to trial him, or at least work at Menangle with one of Luke’s horses.
“I’m sure once he’s behind the mobile he will concentrate and I’m hoping to get a good gauge on where he’s at after the trial.”
Prentice had designs on travelling Mighty Ronaldo and Always An Angel to the east coast last year, only for the plans to be thwarted by COVID.
He said Mighty Ronaldo’s trip for the APG Final was the perfect way for him to start travelling horses.
“(Gary Hall) Junior said to me it’s a good idea to take one where there isn’t a huge amount of pressure on to win,” he said.
“It has been good to get a helping hand from Luke and everyone at his stable are really good to talk to.
“I’ve already learned a lot and Luke McCarthy is at the top of the list of people to learn from.”
Meanwhile, Prentice said Friday night’s APG 2YO Colts and Geldings Gold Bullion winner Valedictorian would have a short break before being aimed at Group 1 targets later this year.
Tim Walker