‘He’s never raced better’: Peter Hardacre-trained SA raider Press Down primed for Santa Ana Lane Series Final at Flemington

Peter Hardacre has just the spot on the office wall for a new framed winner’s portrait should Press Down claim the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington.

Peter Hardacre has just the spot on the office wall for a new winning picture frame should Press Down claim the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington.

Beswinging, the first horse South Australian trainer Hardacre owned a share in, has pride of place at Langhorne Creek, 15-minutes out of Murray Bridge, but Saturday could force a makeover.

Hardacre caught the racing bug “well and truly” in 2004, eight years before he saddled a runner, when Beswinging, trained by Louise Bonella, won at Flemington.

Beswinging trained on in the spring to win the Listed JRA Cup at The Valley.

“He’s got pride of place in the office but hopefully he gets bumped to the back corner with a Press Down photo taking over,” Hardacre said.

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The Flemington synergy is not lost on Hardacre, chasing his first stakes’ winner as a trainer.

“To be back there, in that environment, with this group of owners, all from the southeast of South Australia, it would be huge,” Hardacre said.

“They’re all going over for the weekend, it would be massive for us (Listed win) and faith the owners have put in me and the hard work from the team at home.”

That was impressive! ⭐️

Press Down blows them away in the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill 💥 pic.twitter.com/a9SuGtZR7i

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 7, 2024

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Press Down is a $2.60 favourite with TAB from Veloce Carro ($5.50), Who Dares ($9) and Why Worry ($9).

Press Down qualified for the Listed sprint with a dominant four-length Swan Hill Gold Topaz triumph.

The four-year-old Press Statement gelding, placed at Flemington last season, won by three lengths at Murray Bridge the start prior.

“Certainly after winning at Swan Hill … it was the logical next step for him and the same if he happens to do a job Saturday, there’s some Group 3s coming up in a month or so,” Hardacre said.

“We’ll be back in Melbourne for them … he’s been there a couple times now and he wasn’t daunted by it, and he’s certainly going better now than 12 months ago.

“A bigger, stronger horse and a lot better equipped coming over this time.”

Press Down goes into overdrive mode & bolts in at Murray Bridge 🔥 pic.twitter.com/90TUwzGyID

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 25, 2024

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Press Down placed third first-up behind Benedetta, a subsequent Group 1 winner, and was only beaten two lengths second up in a Group 3 at Morphettville.

“We’re going there with a fair amount of confidence, the horse is in great order,” Hardacre said.

“He’s never raced better, his Benedetta form is proper Group 1 form now, I think he’s shown he can match it with them and it think the way Neil (Farley) rides him he enjoys that as well.”

Press Down has clicked with “relaxed, level-headed” jockey Farley aboard.

“The horse is quite busy so he needs somebody to keep him calm and relaxed,” Hardacre said.

“The big focus was letting him build through his gears in a race and Neil has really clicked with him being able to do that and he’s finishing his races so much better.”

Originally published as ‘He’s never raced better’: Peter Hardacre-trained SA raider Press Down primed for Santa Ana Lane Series Final at Flemington