Trainer Darryn Pateman hopes his decision to delay retirement plans for Tell Me This can be rewarded when the veteran tackles Saturday’s Moora Toyota Cup (1800m).
Pateman flirted with the idea of calling time on Tell Me This’ career last season, but had a change of heart and pushed ahead as he felt the gelding was going as well as ever
At 11, Tell Me This is in the veteran class, but Pateman believes the son of Hold That Tiger, who has notched 13 wins from 91 starts, is showing no signs of slowing down.
“He’s a good old horse and a marvel really,” Pateman told The Races WA.
“He is probably coming off his best-ever season and is sound as they come.
“They don’t breed them as tough anymore and I’m sure he will go well.
“I was going to retire him after the Carnarvon Cup last year, but I reckon he still has something to give.
“He has been ultra-consistent in these types of races and it will be a shame if he can’t add another one.”
Tell Me This goes into the Moora Cup in top shape and as one of the form runners in the race.
From his past seven appearances he has won two races, placed third twice and finished no further than fourth in two other races.
Last start he ran a courageous third to Espresso Lass in the Carnarvon Cup (2000m), beaten under a length after racing wide.
“He was going as good as anything, but wasn’t quite good enough on the day,” Pateman said.
“He was caught wide, but he is one paced and that’s the way you have to ride him.
“It was a great run and I don’t think the Moora Cup is going to be any harder than the Carnarvon Cup.”
Tell Me This has top weight honours in the Moora Cup with 59kg.
Simone Altieri, a winner of the 2017 Carnarvon Cup and 2018 Junction Cup (1900m) on Tell Me This, reclaims the mount. They combine from barrier four.
“I think he is pretty well weighted,” Pateman said.
“He’s not that far off the minimum.
“The track won’t worry him and he gets along with Simone which will be handy.
“She rides him as well as anyone.”
Tell Me This heads a three-pronged charge for Pateman with Andreini and Ombudsman also in the Moora Cup line-up.
Andreini flopped in the Carnarvon Cup, running 10th, before an improved third at the same track over 1700m last start.
“He can’t run past 1800m, that’s why he ran poorly in the Carnarvon Cup,” Pateman said.
“He actually won this race a couple of years ago when it was declared a non race.”
Ombudsman steps out for his first race under Pateman’s care after racing previously for Hayden Ballantyne.
“I don’t know much about him, but hopefully his form can turn a round,” Pateman said.
Ombudsman, without a win for two years, has drawn barrier seven for Mollie Clarke.
Andreini will be under Jessica Gray and has gate five.
Julio Santarelli