Judging by the manner of Saturday’s win in strong rating 65 company, three-year-old Cossack Warrior has a big future ahead of him.
The Shamoline Warrior gelding had looked unlucky when finishing in behind the placegetters at Te Awamutu on debut and proved that opinion correct when scoring nicely at Matamata at his next start. Saturday’s contest was a further step up in grade which the Catherine Cameron trained galloper took in fine style with a powerful home straight burst to claim victory.
“He was quite a weak type as a two-year-old although you could see the ability was there in his early trials,” said Cameron.
“We had to be patient with him but once he strengthened up a little I did think he could turn out to be a good type as he comes from quite a strong family.”
Cameron admitted she had not harboured any great hopes when her charge made his Te Awamutu debut, thinking that if he weighed in she would be more than pleased.
“As it turned out he was quite unlucky and Jonathan (Riddell) was quite disgusted with himself as he said he definitely should have finished much closer,” she said.
“He stuck with him to win at Matamata and it was another really good ride on Saturday as he didn’t panic when they got a wee way off them.
“We know he is a pretty tenacious type of horse and that showed as he refused to lie down and managed to get his nose in front at the right time again.”
Cameron is convinced that Cossack Warrior will be best suited when stepped up to a middle distance, an option she will look at further into his current campaign.
“He is a half-brother to Bahhton, who was quite a handy stayer, so I do think his future lies over ground,” she said.
“While he has won nicely over 1400m at his last two starts I am keen to try him over a middle distance.
“He’s an easy horse to train and doesn’t take too much out of himself so while he is in form we will keep him going for a wee while longer.
“There is a nice race coming up at New Plymouth next month so that’s where we are headed then we will decide whether to give him a break and bring him back for the spring.
“He handled better ground okay when he trialled, so I think the spring tracks will be perfect for him with some more maturity on his side.”
