Hammarquist Keen To Take On City Rivals In Perth Cup
Walkaway-based Graeme Hammarquist is pinching himself that he has a runner in the Group 2 Tabtouch Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
At $61, it could be mission impossible for Freez’emoff, but Hammarquist won’t allow a lack of punters faith to dampen his mood or dent his confidence.
Hammarquist has been training for 17 years with his best result in a feature race Glory Hunter who won the Listed Pinjarra Classic (1300m) in 2010.
Freez’emoff will be Hammarquist’s first Perth Cup starter and he admits there are butterflies in his stomach in the build-up to the $400,000 race.
He takes on the big guns of Australian racing including leviathan owner Bob Peters and top trainers Grant and Alana Williams, Neville Parnham and Lindsey Smith.
The Williams and Peters combination have dominated the race in the past few years and have a potent force with hot favourite, Truly Great.
Parnham saddles up Platoon and A.T.A Stakes (2200m) winner Neufbosc, a European import who has a Group 3 win and Group 1 placing over 2400m to his name in France.
Group 1 champion Trap For Fools is nearing the end of his career, but was a recent winner of the Towton Cup (2200m) and ran second in the Ted Van Heemst (2100m).
Hammarquist said he was looking forward to combining with Freez’emoff and taking on their more credentialed city rivals.
“It’s pretty special to have a runner in a Perth Cup,” Hammarquist said.
“To get to this point and have a shot of winning the race is exciting.
“As country trainers, we are taking on the big players in Perth.
“We are not necessarily the lesser class of racing, but we are the second tier.
“I think it’s a feather in the cap of country racing to be involved.
“She will be up for the fight and will be competitive.”
Freez’emoff’s Perth Cup plans were hatched by Hammarquist after a breakout campaign ended earlier in June.
The Frost Giant mare won four races including the Geraldton Cup (2100m) before completing back-to-back city wins at Belmont.
The six-year-old attacks the Perth Cup on the back of three runs this preparation. Last-start she ran a luckless seventh in the Towton Cup (2200m).
“She was held up for the majority of the straight and could not get a crack at them,” Hammarquist said.
“I’m sure if she had clear running she would have come hard and been right up there.
“After the race, it looked as though she could have gone around again.
“The next morning, she was bucking around and as happy as can be.
“She’s on her game and will give 110 per cent.
“She’s where I want her to be.”
Jockey Kyra Yuill, a large part of Freez’emoff’s success when last in work, is back aboard after missing her previous run due to suspension.
On the 53kg minimum, Yuill and Freez’emoff combine from barrier six.
Hammarquist is delighted to have her back.
“She’s excited,” Hammarquist said.
“She said the weight is right, the horse is right, let’s go.”
Julio Santarelli