Kingston Town Classic 2019: Gailo Chop faces future-defining race in Perth
Three-time Group 1-winning veteran Gailo Chop can book himself a 2020 racing campaign but only if he turns on the old afterburners in the Kingston Town Classic during Perth visit.
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The future of veteran galloper Gailo Chop could hinge on a positive performance in Saturday's $1 million Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m), with trainer Matthew Williams hoping the nine-year-old can book himself a 2020 racing campaign.
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On his best form, the OTI-owned horse would be a serious contender at Ascot, with the three-time Group 1 winner having netted $3.7 million in prizemoney from 13 victories, including the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes and last year's Ranvet Stakes.
But the market has assessed him at $18 on the weekend, off the back of modest spring form with his best run for Williams coming when third to Black Heart Bart in the Underwood Stakes in October.
“We are hopeful he can get back to his Underwood (Stakes) form and be competitive again," Williams said. “He has had a little bit of a freshen from his last run in the Mackinnon (when 11th to Magic Wand).”
Asked if this week's race could determine the horse's future, Williams said: “Look, he's been an absolute ripper (across his career).”
“I would have to have a chat to Terry (Henderson) to see what the owners want to do. I would say if he was competitive (in the Kingston Town) and running top three, there might be another little prep for him.
“But obviously if he wasn't competitive, there would be a few questions asked.”
Williams will fly to Perth for his first trip west on Thursday, and has been buoyed by the news Gailo Chop has settled in well since arriving a few weeks ago.
“He has eaten up well and done everything like he would at home,” he said.
“He has been doing some work at Lindsey Smith's place on the heavy sand track and he's been to the beach a few times.
“He appears to be bright and well. He went to Lark Hill last Wednesday for a gallop and it will be nice to see him with some fresh legs and a bit of a drop back in class (on Saturday).”
Williams has been closely monitoring his stable star Harbour Views, who is spelling after the trainer noticed some inflammation around his fetlock joints just before the Ballarat Cup.
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“He has had a few little changes to his fetlock, hence why we sent him to the paddock, but there is nothing major structurally there,” he said.
“It's just a bit of immaturity stuff, he has still got to toughen up as a racehorse a bit.
“The plan is to reassess him after Christmas and work out which way we go (in the autumn).”
Harbour Views could be aimed at the $5 million All Star Mile in March, or if he spells a little longer, he could be aimed at the tail end of the Sydney autumn or the Brisbane carnival.