Radford’s Hopes For A Great Shot In The Hyperion
Trainer Rhys Radford doesn’t deny raging favourite Galaxy Star is the horse to beat in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday, but believes if Great Shot can get his own way he is capable of causing of a big upset in the Group 3 race.
Two weeks ago Great Shot came as close as a horse can get to defeating Galaxy Star when he led and shot clear in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m), but was cut down in the shadows of the post and lost by an agonizing short-neck margin.
Galaxy Star, last year’s Group 1 Railway Stakes hero, is a red-hot $1.26 favourite to maintain his ascendancy over Great Shot, but Radford believes a couple of key factors can help his consistent gelding turn the tables on the market leader.
“He does genuinely love racing and is quite the competitive beast,” Radford told Tabradio.
“He loves taking them on and we are definitely looking forward to Saturday
“She (Galaxy Star) is a very good horse, but going to the mile will help us definitely.
“And at Belmont he has a pretty record at the mile.
“Even the soft track should help Great Shot as well, he goes a little better with the sting out.
“He is going as good as we can get him and his work yesterday morning (Wednesday) was excellent.
“We are hoping, yeah.”
Great Shot has drawn barrier three and will have the services of regular jockey, Craig Staples.
The six-year-old son of Magnus is the $5 second pick.
Gatting ($7.50) rounds out the other runner in single figures.
The Darren McAuliffe-trained gelding is second-up after running fifth to Galaxy Star, beaten 1.5 lengths, in the Belmont Sprint.
Spokesperson for McAuliffe’s Impress Racing, Grant McLearie, says Gatting will strip fitter.
“He is going good and obviously second-up he certainly will be a lot fitter,” McLearie said.
“I think Darren mentioned a few weeks ago he missed a little bit of work before that first run.
“Like everyone else we have to tackle Galaxy Star and we are under no illusions it will be very difficult.
“But he ran second and a length or two behind her in the Railway.
“We are not turning up for second, but under no illusions it will be difficult.”
Lee Newman has retained the Gatting ride.
Julio Santarelli