Witten by Paul Vettise
A trip to warmer climes will be on the line for Our Big Mike (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}) when he makes the second appearance of his Sydney campaign at Rosehill.
Not everything went to plan last time out and Cambridge co-trainer Craig Phelan is expecting a much bolder showing from the well-travelled 6-year-old in the Listed Winter Cup.
As is his custom, Our Big Mike led up in the Listed McKell Cup a fortnight ago before weakening out to beat only one runner home.
“That first run we put down to just a few days to settle in over here and the track was a bit too firm for him.” – Craig Phelan.
“That first run we put down to just a few days to settle in over here and the track was a bit too firm for him,” said Phelan, who trains with his son and accomplished jumps jockey Shaun.
“We’ve got that out of the way and he’s come through it really well so I couldn’t be happier. There’s some rain in the forecast and that will help him.”
Trainer Craig Phelan is pleased with how Our Big Mike (NZ) has settled in
A typical slow-maturing New Zealand stayer, Our Big Mike has already made his mark in Australia having won the Listed Pakenham Cup last year after finishing third in the Kyneton Cup and placing at Moe.
Off the back of a summer break, the gelding found winning form in an open handicap at Te Rapa last month to send him on his way to Sydney.
“He’s settled in much better this week and his work has been really good,” Phelan said.
Welcome report
He also received encouraging news from his son’s partner Emily Farr, also a jumps jockey, since her arrival.
“She came over on Wednesday and rode him in a gallop on Thursday,” he said. “She couldn’t fault him – she’s happy so I’m happy.”
Our Big Mike (NZ)
Should Our Big Mike run up to expectations at Rosehill on Saturday, a trip to Queensland is on the cards.
“If he goes well then we’ll probably head to Brisbane for a race like the Caloundra Cup,” Phelan said. “It depends what happens and we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, if he flops then we’ll likely to be going home.”
Our Big Mike also has winning Australian form in his pedigree as a half-brother to Oforawesome (Colombia {NZ}), who was successful for Phelan before his sale and he subsequently won a further eight races. Their dam is a half-sister to Cranbourne Cup winner Licence Fee (NZ) (Sobig {NZ}).
