It’s business as usual for ex-Weir jumpers

Weir, who has trained countless winners over the obstacles in recent years, copped a disqualification after he was found guilty on charges of possessing electronic equipment that could be used on horses and conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.

Musgrove said jumping horses trained by Weir were still in the system with new trainers.

“Darren’s jumpers have found new homes.

“They have gone to good trainers, so I’m thinking it will be business as usual for the jumping season.

“I would say this season looks like being a top year for the sport. There’s been a lot of jumpers schooling as they prepare for this jumping season.

“I’ve got 16 jumpers in work preparing for the early jumping races and there’s a few others that will be ready to go later in the season when tracks are wet.”

Musgrove believes an eight-day break between Oakbank’s Easter Carnival and the Warrnambool May Carnival will attract different jumpers to each carnival.

“From the trainers I’ve spoken to  there are some that are preparing jumpers for Oakbank and others only for the Warrnambool Carnival,” he said.

“I would say I’ll have a few jumpers ready for Oakbank but they will not back up at the ‘Bool. There may be one or two that may  back up but I’ll have that sorted out in the weeks leading up to the carnivals.”

Jumping trials will be staged at Cranbourne this Friday before more trials are to be held at Warrnambool on March 1.

Cranbourne hosts another set of jumps trials on March 8 and the first jumps races for the 2019-20 season will be run at Warrnambool on March 14.

HAMILTON trainer Darren Kolpin was excited with the run of his honest mare Jester Halo at Flemington on Saturday. Jester Halo ran third behind Pure Scot and Hussy’s Glow in a $125,000 restricted fillies and mares race over 1600 metres.

“It was an excellent run,” Kolpin said.

“She’s a very honest mare. There are not many races open to her.

“We may have to jump her up to group 3 company for her next start.”

A CHANGE in environment have been beneficial to the career of Warrnambool-trained Trenchant, according to his trainer Geoff Withers.

Trenchant defeated Blamey House and Peg Leg Ben in a $22,000 restricted race at Warrnambool last Thursday.

The five-year-old was previously trained by Chris Calthorpe, Simon Ryan and James Cummings.

Withers said Trenchant appreciates being trained from a one acre paddock.

“I would say the horse is enjoying the change in environment,” he said.

“We take Trenchant down to the beach and I think mixing up the training regime has done wonders.

“He’s always shown ability as a young horse – he won a listed race at Flemington and he seems to run well at his home track.”

Withers may run Trenchant at Warrnambool this Thursday, or under lights at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

“I’m mindful that Trenchant has a good record at Warrnambool, but the race on Friday night is worth $60,000 compared to $22,000 on Thursday,” he said.

Trenchant has won three of his 27 starts.

VETERAN Crossley trainer Quinton Scott praised the owners of Tommy’s Gift after the four-year-old won a maiden at Warrnambool last week.

Tommy’s Gift took seven runs to register his first victory.

“He’s been a slow maturing horse,” Scott said.

“He still needs more time but he’s just slowing starting to put it all together.

“Tommy’s Gift’s owners have been wonderful. I’ve been very lucky because Tommy’s Gifts owners have been loyal long-time clients.

“I’m confident the horse has more improvement in him. It’s just a matter of giving him extra time to mature.”

Tommy’s Gift had two second placings to his credit from six runs before his maiden victory.