Co-trainer Todd Harvey is sweating on a run for Tradesman and says it would be a major disappointment if his talented five-year-old is balloted out of the Group One $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) later this month.
Tradesman has a rating of 91 after his top third in the Group Two Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, but if the influx of eastern states horses arrives as anticipated for the race the son of Trade Fair could cruelly miss the final field.
“We were absolutely thrilled with him on Saturday and to finish right in the mix with proven Group One horses and at his first start against that sort of grade at weight-for-age it was just outstanding really,” Harvey said on Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“We have always had a pretty high opinion of him and we probably did throw him at the deep end a little bit, but we have pretty good faith in the horse and he didn’t let us down, he ran right up to it.
“He has always been a progressive horse and well above average ability, but he has had immaturity issues all the way along, he went shin sore three times and we have brought him along very carefully and placed him very well.
“I think it would be a travesty if he didn’t get in after his run on Saturday because everyone would like to see him there and I think after his performance on the weekend he is more than deserving of it.”
Tradesman underlined his potential when he won premier winter races as a three-year-old last year, the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) and Dayana Plate over 2000m.
The son of Trade Fair has been a consistent money earner for his connections, having won $282, 650 and rarely runs a poor race, finishing no further back than sixth in 13 starts.
Harvey, who prepares Tradesman in conjunction with his father, Robert, admits not running in the Railway Stakes will affect Tradesman’s preparations for The Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
“It makes it difficult because he will have to run in the 1400m of the Carbine on Railway Stakes day,” Harvey said.
“He will then have to go to the 1800m from the 1400m which is not ideal, but it’s going to be our only pathway.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli