Scone, Queanbeyan previews: A well-named gelding from the Mack Griffith stable can make a statement on debut

Trainer Mack Griffith could be in the headlines again if the much talked about Pressnell can kick off his career with a win.

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Compelling Truth’s trainer Mack Griffith may have a second ‘Mudgee Marvel’ in the stable and this one named after a living legend of the sport.

Four-year-old gelding Pressnell is dressed and ready to make his much anticipated debut at Scone, one day prior to the third annual Group 2 Callander-Pressnell at Royal Randwick named in honour of doyens Ken and Max.

The four-legged Pressnell got a visit from his namesake last week; and the all-important tick of approval from the man himself.

“Max came up and had a look at him the other day,” Griffith. “He liked him.”

Pressnell opened up for the Inglis Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m) at $3 with TAB Fixed Odds but was crunched down to even-money as betting progressed.

The debutant Pressnell is named after legendary racing journalist, Max Presnell.Picture: Getty Images

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No doubt the Griffith galloper has numerous fans among avid trial watchers.

The bay was tipped out after an easy win in a Muswellbrook heat in May, returning to the same track on October 9 to win by a similarly comfortable margin.

“His trials have been pretty good,” Griffith said. “I don’t think he has trialled against a lot but he has trialled well.

“He has never really been off the bridle so it will be interesting to see what happens with him when he gets put under a bit of pressure but he has shown enough at home to say he has got some sort of ability.

“Outside of that, we don’t know how much, but at this stage he has shown enough to win a race.”

Pressnell has the services of NSW Champion Jockey (2022/23) Aaron Bullock who is both familiar with, and a fan of, the Scone-bound stead.

“Aaron’s ridden him in both of his trials and he gave him a nice feel,” Griffith said.

“He said he’s still got a little bit to learn.

“Small field, drawn well, it all looks good for him on Friday.

Aaron Bullock was aboard Pressnell in his two trials and will ride the gelding at Scone. Picture: Getty Images

“Having his first start, you want something to follow so from that draw (4), he should be close to the rail at some stage.

“I think on exposed form, he should nearly have them covered but there are a couple of horses that are debuting like him that have trialled okay so it is definitely not a gimme, that’s for sure.”

Pressnell is an aptly-named racehorse.

His sire is Press Statement who won six of his 11 starts including the J J Atkins as a late two-year-old and a famous all-the-way win in the Caulfield Guineas despite drawing barrier 14 of 16.

Among Press Statement’s placings were his third in a stellar edition of the George Ryder Stakes behind then stablemate Winx and the Godolphin (then) colt, Kementari.

Pressnell’s dam, Caprossa, was a tough and sturdy conveyance for the Joseph and Jones team.

She won seven of her 26 starts and was fourth in the Listed Nudgee Stakes at Doomben.

KROGH LOOKING FOR PAYBACK FROM DEBUTANT

Blue-blooded Queanbeyan debutant Sun ‘N’ Sand owes jockey Quayde Krogh a win according to co-trainer Paul Jones.

“There was a bit of commotion before her trial,” Jones said.

“She cow-kicked Quayde in the thigh and he wasn’t able to fulfil his engagement and Teaghan Martin, who had never been on her back, was walking by so we quickly legged her up and she rode her in the trial for us.

“Quayde ended up having seven days off getting over it but he’s right now.

“He has done a lot of work on Sun ‘N’ Sand and he likes her.”

Jones, himself describes Sun ‘N’ Sand’s trial (third) in a Canberra Heat on October 11 as ‘excellent’.

“She learnt a lot out of it,” Jones said.

Where Is Ken gets there!

Jake Barrett with a strong ride for @JJRacing_ACT. pic.twitter.com/2TlPnabLMJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 23, 2023

“In her jump-outs, she showed a bit of gate-speed and led and won them.

“In the trial, she sat off them and ran home nicely, so she has done it both ways.

“At Queanbeyan, you can’t be too negative from the gates so from a good barrier, we probably will be positive.

“If there is no speed, we’ll be thereabouts, and if there is speed, we will just sit behind them.”

Sun ‘N’ Sand is part-owned by her breeder Neil Werrett who also raced her dam, She’s A Rainbow, and granddam Music Review who boasts several stakes-placings in two States.

Sun ‘N’ Sand is by Pride Of Dubai whose current flag-bearing progeny include Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni and our newest Everest winner, Bella Nipotina.

With stablemate Les Goh likely to be saved for 24 hours and a visit to Royal Randwick for this weekend’s Highway, the Joseph and Jones camp’s only other runner at the meeting is the cleverly-named Where Is Ken.

A son of the mare Dollhouse, Where Is Ken, has finished on the podium at 11 of his 18 starts.

Where Is Ken has won from 1300 to 1600m but gave his usual honest account in a 2000m Benchmark 58 in Canberra.

“Coming back to the mile is not a negative,” said Jones.

“I still think he can run 2000m. He looked like he had every chance the other day and probably did but he had to circle the field whereas the winner went up inside them all.

“I cannot be happier with this horse. He is eating well, looking well, and he’s a pocket rocket who really puts in.”