THE jumping career of exciting first-season jumper Wil John has been put on hold, meaning he will miss the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat this Sunday.
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Wil John - who is being nursed through a minor setback that reared its head at an awkward time in the lead-up to the feature steeplechase - would have been the favourite for Sunday's 4500 metre race.
Trainer Ciaron Maher will set the six-year-old at Warrnambool's Jericho Cup later this year before targeting the 2022 Grand Annual Steeplechase.
"Wil John just has a slight injury to his back leg," Maher said.
"It's nothing major. We didn't want to take any risks. We've got a big opinion of him. He'll have a bit of a freshen up before he goes to the Jericho Cup. He ran third in that race last year and is a stronger stayer this year."
Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said Wil John was an ideal type of horse to be set for the Grand Annual.
"Wil John has not put a foot wrong in his first season as a jumper," the Winslow training export said.
"He's only had the three jumps starts, which have resulted in three wins including the Grand National Hurdle.
"Wil John is going to improve a lot on the back of his three jumping performances this year. He's just a big horse who has needed time to mature.
"We purposely have not rushed his career because he's still maturing. I'm confident he'll measure up to the 2022 Grand Annual."
From his 22 starts, Wil John has won eight races and finished in the minor placegetters stall on eight occasions.
STREETS AHEAD
CONSISTENT Warrnambool galloper Ashford Street took his stake earnings to more than $100,000 in six weeks with an impressive win at Bendigo on Friday.
Ashford Street won his third race from seven starts when he defeated Crestani and Madam Superior in the 1100 metre race.
Trainer Simon Ryan admitted after the win that the four-year-old is potentially a better horse than half-brother Grandview Avenue.
"It was a top win," Ryan said. "I've always had a good opinion of Grandview Avenue, but I have to say now his half-brother Ashford Street looks like being a better horse.
"I thought Ashford Street had not much luck at his last two runs at Caulfield and Flemington.
"He probably hit the front a bit too early at Flemington.
"I was thinking of giving him a short break, but we'll push on with him for another couple of runs. I'm just hoping that the tracks continue to have a bit of give in them.
"We'll head back down to town for another start or two in either midweek or Saturday company."
Ryan, who was a talented jumps jockey and is now a successful trainer, said Ashford Street is a lazy track worker.
"It's a tough task to gauge how well Ashford Street is going on his track work," he said.
"He's an entirely different horse come race day. It's amazing to think six weeks ago he had no prizemoney next to his name, and now he's earnt just over $100,000 in stakes for his connections.
"The prizemoney at Bendigo was great because there was VOBIS Gold involved. The VOBIS prizemoney is a great incentive."
Apprentice jockey Tatum Bull has ridden Ashford Street to his three wins.
PENSHURST PLANS
PENSHURST Racing Club is busily planning for its race date transferred from the traditional Boxing Day to November 20.
The club had raced on Boxing Day for more than 120 years, but after discussions with Racing Victoria decided to take the November 20 race date.
Club secretary Brendan Kelly said it was not an easy decision.
"The committee gave plenty of thought to all the history and tradition that Boxing Day had meant to the club," Kelly said.
"We're looking for more local community involvement for the November 20 meeting. It was just too difficult to get local volunteers involved in Boxing Day, because so many go away for their holidays.
"We're looking at making the meeting a big community day for Penshurst and the district.
"We're in discussions with Hamilton's Monivae College about having a school reunion on the November 20 race day.
"There's talk of possibly 100 former Monivae students being at the races, which would be a wonderful result."
Kelly said the club was receiving support from Racing Victoria.
BEGOOD TO GO
GROUP one winning Warrnambool galloper Begood Toya Mother is only weeks away from making his return to the racetrack.
Begood Toya Mother has failed to win a race since he was successful in the 2019 group one Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.
Trainer Daniel Bowman said he was happy with the progress of the seven-year-old in the lead-up to resuming his career.
"Begood Toya Mother has had a few niggling problems since his win in the Rupert Clarke, but he appears to be over them now," Bowman said.
"He had a jump-out at St Arnaud. I was very happy. He'll have another jump-out at Ararat next week, which should have him ready to resume at Sandown next month."
From 23 starts, Begood Toya Mother has won eight races.
WHO TO FOLLOW
WILD ABOUT HARRY: Well backed to win his maiden on Sunday but let his followers down with a fourth placing in maiden company. He will derive plenty from that outing. Keep on following him.
ROBBIE'S STAR: Forget his last start failure in a 2000 metre restricted race at Warrnambool. He had no luck in the home straight. Trainer Peter Chow may run Robbie's Star at the big jumps meeting this Sunday. He could be a place chance if he gets wet ground.
MICHAEL O'LEARY: Underrated Mount Gambier trainer. He may be in the twilight years of his career but he still trains winners. O'Leary has had the wonderful knack of placing horses in races they can win, which is a great advantage for a trainer. He saddled up two winners at Naracoorte on Sunday.
