Wilson's Well Not Dry Yet

Wilson’s high opinion of Unanswered, figured he would pose the biggest hurdle for his candidate at his first jumps outing this preparation, which was to be the 8th. of his 60 start career.

But although confidence rose from the trainer, jockey Adrian Garraway- who had first refusal for Osborne Well - put his in the Gary Carson prepared 5yo, Apollon. And as has happened so many times in the past for jockeys when faced with the decision between two mounts - that’s right, Apollon gave Garraway a good look at every other runner as they crossed the line, whilst up ahead of him, whist Willie Harnett was counting his good fortune - and his winning percentage.

" I’d noticed this horse’s last couple of flat runs and was extremely happy to pick up the ride on him. ", Harnett said.

Garraway had partnered Osborne Well in his only start over the sticks last time in, which resulted in a well beaten 7th.of 8 at this track back on the first day of this season. Prior to that though, the horse produced a magnificent effort at Moe, when ridden by Phillip Scattergood to score his initial victory over jumps just over a year ago.

But there seems little doubt after last Saturday that there won’t be any riding changes for the Wilson " family pet " whilst he continues in this sort of form.

After coming into the Wilson stable around 4 years ago as a purchase by Andrew from the Echuca sale yards for the "princely sum " of $ 900, Osborne Well has become part of the clan as far as wife, Christine and their four children, Nicholas 12, Cassandra 9, Matthew 5, and two year old Samantha are concerned.

This is only Andrew’s 4th year as a professional trainer, but having had quite a bit of success on the picnic circuit, which included 15 wins in his first year, he is keen to see his stable grow, particularly in the number of hurdlers he prepares - an area of training he holds a great passion for. " I’d rather have 10 jumpers than 1 flat horse " he said and if Osborne Well can add to his winning tally in the weeks ahead, interest in this jovial trainers talents will surely be increased.

" I think he’ll go on with it. He’s not a real wet tracker and prefers the good tracks, so hopefully there could be a few more wins in store for him this preparation all going well." Wilson said." But hopefully the tracks won’t be as hard as on the week-end. ", he added.

" He pulled up a little sore following the race, but there’s nothing wrong with him - just lots of little cuts and bruises to his back legs and they’re not even worrying him. He went for a swim today and he’s fine." Wilson stated.

" He got a little more fired up on Saturday, because he’s normally a horse that drops right out. When he won at Moe he must have been about 35 lengths last at one stage, so it’s his normal pattern to be back in the field, but he had a horse either side of him which may have revved him up a bit." said his trainer.

Willie Harnett was also caught slightly by surprise by the way the gelding raced, saying, " He stood off at the first few, but then jumped pretty well after that. We were probably about 2nd. last after going 600metres, but then he worked his way up to third with a lap to go. We just sat there until straightening and went on to win pretty well I thought."

His trainer was also impressed by the way his charge finished off the race, striding past the highly fancied Peter Hayes entrant, Knight’s Passage, who was taken on in front and over-raced for apprentice rider Ciaron Maher at his debut, to score by 2.25 lengths, with Ricky Maund piloting Andrestad into third place a further 6 lengths astern for Cranbourne trainer Stuart Webb.

Whilst Wilson was ecstatic at the result, he was most taken with the effort of Knight’s Passage though, who he believes will certainly make the grade. " He did a great job considering how he raced. I certainly wouldn’t mind having one like him out the back. He’s a big, typical Sir Tristram and whilst I’m sure the Hayes stable had him well educated, he should surely improve now that he’s had that start over the jumps." he said.

Osborne Well’s next assignment should see him contest a 2500metre flat race at Moonee Valley next week, as Wilson is of the opinion that the horse benefits from having his starts reasonably close to each other.

He stated, " He does so well at home here and it worked after his hurdle win at Moe - we backed him up 9 days later at Tatura for a win over 2500 on the flat." Following that, Wilson is likely to set Osborne Well for the next available hurdle at Moe, where he and the rest of the family hope their "pet favourite " can score again.

And whilst Osborne Well’s future plans are only being tentatively mapped out at his stage, jockey Willie Harnett has his sights firmly set on a trip to the Easter Oakbank carnival, where just over a decade ago, he partnered the Jim Houlahan trained, Commission Red to victory in one of the toughest cross country tests in the land, the Great Eastern Steeplechase.

" Oakbank’s been good to me.." he said, " and I’m really looking forward to getting over there- it’s a great carnival ! ", he added.

Harnett won’t be alone in his journey across the border, with a strong contingent of riders and trainers keen to make the journey in search of the great spoils on offer, with an increase in stakemoney and incentives certain to lure some class jumpers to the hill’s course.

So for all the lead up into that carnival and more, make sure to keep watching and always remember to.........

GO JUMP !!!!!!!!

Don Cooper