By Ray Hickson
A number of placements and close calls to the last preparation that the coach Edward O'Rourke does not have to do much right so that Iron you have to achieve an overdue victory in Hawkesbury on Saturday.
O'Rourke can see many positive for the consistent Galoper -Home -Track, a pliable floor and an extract from the fence -and says if he can get a real pace in Clarendon Tavern Handicap (1100 m), he shouldn't have an excuses.
There were excuses for the five-year-old when he was resumed at 1200 m in Randwick two weeks ago, the 1: 1/4 lengths of need need a little luck, so he wants to avenge this defeat.
“He was only very stiff on the last day, his thumb crossed. He can run a gigantic race,” he said.
Trainer Edward O'Rourke
“At first I was pretty confident and he was stiff, he hit some traffic.
“The horse is really good, it is second and he came through this first run, so I'm satisfied with him.
“I thought it would return a little more speed at 1100 m, but there is not much on paper.”
Iron Man, on Thursday with a tab, started in June last winter with two wins, including one over the winner of Group 3, Willaidow, a long preparation, but when spring arrived, he would augment five placements from his next eight starts.
Two of them far below half length.
O'Rourke said that he had no doubt that Iron has not yet reached his blanket with only 19 starts, and his recording can improve if the breaks can take him instead of against him.
“He has never been beaten so far and he is always like that, I think there is more of him,” he said.
“I think he can go higher (in class), he only needs a little luck while running.
“We only need a few things that go in his way. He is the kind of horse that has a bit more unfortunate than happiness.
“The sting from the track would be the biggest for him. We pulled a little wider, which is good so that it can get a little clear air.
“Some of his best runs were when he could get down.”
All fields, shape and repetitions for the Hawkesbury meeting on Saturday
