 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Although Front Page has suffered from injuries, he finally gets a shot at the Gr.1 level following his most impressive victory.
The Corowa-based trainer has seen it all with his outstanding sprinter and believes he is at the height of his powers as he competes in the Gr.1 Champions Sprint at Flemington on Saturday against the likes of champion Nature Strip and The Everest winner Giga Kick. The Berrigan-based jockey who rode Red Hope in the 1973 Melbourne Cup feels a connection to Cup Week at Flemington and is excited to put his The Kosciuszko–winning colt Front Page up against the best in the country on Everest Day. Amazingly, when bloodstock agents began enquiring about Front Page early in his career, Hong Kong Jockey Club officials decided he wasn't good enough, a decision that, according to Duryea, likely wouldn't have mattered.
"He was never really for sale because it was pretty clear he wasn't going to pass the vet test even if we did want to sell him," a matter of fact Duryea said.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has ordered a study into its systems for giving ratings to prospective imports after the success of both horses on Everest day last month. Two previous attempts at the Kosciuszko were cut short by freak injuries, but Front Page proved last month that he is the best bush sprinter in the country, giving Duryea hope that the moment is finally perfect for them to take on the elite of the Group 1 level. Furthermore, this is the first Gr.1 starter for the seasoned trainer in quite some time.
"I had a runner in the Caulfield Guineas many, many years ago, that is about it," Duryea said.
"I rode on Cup Day but I have been down there a fair bit, I have taken a few down for the greys race. He has taken us on a ride. He is sound, things have gone wrong with him in the past and it has cost us but he is as sound as he has ever been, probably the best he's ever been too. He is a bit over his weight but we wanted to throw him in the deep end to have a look at him at that level,” Duryea added further.