Moruya preview: Trainer Shaun Coady can end a horror week on a high note with last start winners chasing more success

Trainer Shaun Coady had a lucky escape this week when kicked by one of his horses but is hoping his other two can give him a winning double Moruya.

Snappy Jim looks a good chance of making it back-to-back wins when he heads to Moruya. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Shaun Coady has three horses in work, two are last start winners, the other put him in hospital all week.

“I got kicked on Monday around lunchtime by one of the horses that was going to the paddock,” Coady said from his hospital bed in Canberra.

“I ruptured a bit of the kidney and bruised the liver and broke three ribs.”

It could have been worse but Coady will no doubt be feeling better if stablemates Snappy Jim and Fourcade can go back-to-back in their respective races.

Fourcade will line up in the day’s feature, namely The Legend Of The South (1300m) up against the likes of Body Bob who ran in the Doomben 10,000 against soon to be Everest participants Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win three starts ago.

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Fourcade takes out the last at @Sapphireturf! pic.twitter.com/IL7DdO2oiv

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 28, 2024

A daughter of the now German resident stallion, Counterattack, Fourcade lodged a new personal best when untroubled in winning a 1200m Country Boosted Benchmark 58 (1200m) at Moruya on September 17.

“It is a lot tougher race but she drops four and a half kilos which helps and she drew a good gate,” Coady said.

“I think she is up to them.

“She is a big strong mare and she will race handy. Most of the chances have got a lot of weight, they’ve got to give her five or six kilos.

“Win, lose or draw, she’s had a terrific preparation.”

Fourcade has raced 16 times in total, the last 11 of which were under Coady’s management for a new set of understandably happy owners.

“She only cost the owners $600 and she has repaid that ten times over,” Coady said.

“(Sky Channel presenter and racecaller) Anthony Manton’s uncle, Lenny, is the major owner with a lot of his friends as other part owners so it’s good.

“She (Fourcade) has had a few little niggles, she spent a lot of time in the paddock, but this is the first time, touchwood, she is going into a race with no injuries.”

Snappy Jim down the outside strikes late to get the cash in the Nowra opener! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VbiaXWeumz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 22, 2024

Coady’s other runner on the card is Snappy Jim who scored his fourth win at start 30 when visiting Nowra on September 22.

His mission this time is the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Showcase Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m) with Coriah Keatings in the saddle.

“Snappy Jim has held his condition since, I can’t fault him. He would be very hard to beat I would suggest,” Coady said.

“He has had a lot of niggles in the past but we have finally got him right.

“A lot of work has gone on to get him right so hopefully he can hold his form.

“There seems to be a couple drawn close to him on the inside of him that will get across from the wide draw.

“At the end of the day he only carries half a kilo more than he did at Nowra with Coriah’s claim and if he sits three-wide with cover so be it, we will just produce him late again.

“She has got to give him a good ride but I expect him to be in the finish. There will be no excuses.”

SMITH EXCITED TO HAVE GAMBLE BACK FROM LOCKDOWN

Mudgee trainer David Smith has declared paddock purchase Lockdown Gamble to be better than ever as he starts his journey to Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November.

A direct descendant of the celebrated American broodmare Courtly Dee, Lockdown Gamble will step out for the first time since his gritty and determined win in the Wellington Cup on April 14.

“He went out on a high so that’s good,” Smith said.

“I know he is seven-years-old but he has strengthened up during that break and really muscled up so I think he has come even better again.

“He is sort of just really starting to come into his own.”

Lockdown Gamble, who has won from 1100m to 1700m, was always in control of his September 29 Heat at Dubbo over 1000m with Clayton Gallagher steering.

LOCKDOWN GAMBLE wins the Wellington Cup!

Consolation from the Country Championships for @DJSRacing6 as Lockdown Gamble survives a protest from Danish Prince to win the @WellingtonRaces Cup and earn Big Dance 💃 eligibility. Sizzle Minizzle ran a close third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/97SAXrNp0h

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 14, 2024

“Enormous,” was Smith’s assessment of the trial.

“I know he was up against first starters and probably not much in the field but what I really liked - which we haven’t seen too much of before - was Clayton never really had to ask him for an effort that last furlong.

“He just gave him his head and he just worked away from the field under his steam whereas before he would normally put a length or so on his company and then you would have to say no, no come on keep going on with the job.

“He just did it all himself this time.”

Gallagher, for his part, who has booted him an extraordinary total of 10 winners from his last 19 rides.

“Clayton is definitely our best rider out here,” Smith said.

“He’s trialled well with him and he wanted to stick.”

Lockdown Gamble is priced at $101 to win the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) in just 32 days’ time.

“There are quite a few lovely horses in The Big Dance that he would be against but you’re getting $45,000 for running tenth,” Smith said.

“But I would probably prefer him in The Little Dance, he wouldn’t be out of his depth in that race.”