Ray Hickson
Trainer Nathan Doyle doesn’t see heading to Warwick Farm on Wednesday on the back of an easy first-up win as rushing Heroic Deed to a city assignment.
The gelding made light work of a three-wide run on the speed in his first-up win at the start of August so Doyle was keen to strike while the iron’s hot and take him straight to town in the TAB Handicap (1200m).
Doyle is confident the four-year-old will make his way through the grades but finds it appealing getting into a Benchmark 72 with 55.5kg.
“I don’t think I’ve had one be that impressive for a while,″ he said.
“He had no luck being three deep no cover but he just idled into the race, he didn’t even slap him up, gave him one squeeze at the furlong and that was it.
“I’d rather give a horse an opportunity going to town while they’re still down in the weights.
“I felt now is probably the right time and he seems to be a horse that should aim up heading to town.”
Heroic Deed has won two of his three starts and it wasn’t until he was gelded in February last year that his talent started to shine through.
He debuted with a win on the Beaumont track in December and was narrowly beaten at his next outing but he’s clearly gone up a notch since he’s come back.
“The penny didn’t drop too early,″ he said.
“When a horse has ability you don’t have to be in a rush.
“He couldn’t have returned in any better order. He’s a horse we’ve given a bit of time to and he seems to be relishing it now.”
The Newcastle trainer has engaged Ash Morgan to ride Heroic Deed, he was on board in the gelding’s first two starts, and he says on paper he should have his chance to measure up.
“He showed he has a really good turn of foot, you don’t want to be cluttered up on the inside of runners and Warwick Farm is the kind of track you can sit three deep with cover and blend into the race,″ he said.
“He will find his level eventually, we’ll see where he ends up but he’s a promising horse that should be able to race through his grades on his first up run.”
Doyle will leave it until race morning before deciding if Cool Waters takes her place in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m) having drawn near the outside.
Best Bets: Race 5 (3) Mr Miller; Race 7 (12) Heroic Deed
Best Value: Race 6 (5) Rantan