There are better credentialed horses running in Saturday’s Group 2 Tabtouch Perth Cup (2400m), but if you ask Raquel Reid there might not be as many that are resilient as Juicing Carrots.
As a low-profile trainer with a small number of horses, Reid is delighted to be in the mix for the Perth Cup, but even more so after Juicing Carrots was at death’s door almost two years ago.
“He had a life-threatening illness after the WA Cup (3200m) when he got his leg caught up in the barrier,” Reid told Tabradio.
“It got to the point we were discussing with vets to humanely put him to sleep because he had infections in his bones.
“We said our goodbyes and took him down to the vets for his final testing and everything else on him.
“The vest came back to us and said I don’t know what you’ve done or how you’ve done it, but his counts are normal.
“From there we went into a big rehab program and here we are today.
“Normally he is a type of horse that if something hurts, he gives in, but I was spending nearly eight hours a day with him and I don’t know, something must have clicked with him.
“We have now formed this great big bond.”
Reid is under no illusion about the task facing Juicing Carrots in the Perth Cup, the toughest assignment of his 77-start career by far.
One of the rank outsiders at $101, the eight-year-old hopes to emulate his sire Black Tom, who won the 2006 Perth Cup.
Juicing Carrots has won once and been placed top three in four other races from his past five starts.
Last week he ran on strongly and was doing his best work on the line when two lengths third behind Neufbosc in the A.T.A Stakes (2200m).
Reid said she would be disappointed if Juicing Carrots couldn’t maintain his level of consistency in the Perth Cup.
“I am going into the race quietly confident,” Reid said.
“I know he is going to be able to do the journey.
“If we can get into a position where he can settle and get some cover, I actually believe he can be up there in the finish, at least top four.”
Juicing Carrots, on the 53kg minimum, will commence from barrier one. Jerry Noske replaces Chris Parnham who rides Neufbosc for his father, Neville
“She (Noske) rides really well and had all that success with Man Booker,” Reid said.
“She will actually suit Juice (Carrots).
Julio Santarelli