Written by Georgie Dennis
In an open edition of Wednesday’s Listed Balaklava Cup, Will Clarken is hoping his 8-year-old gelding Handsome Return (NZ) (Handsome Ransom) can land his third win in a row and improve on his result from last year’s edition of the race where he finished eighth.
Handsome Return was last seen taking out the 1700 metre Katherine Club Cup H. on the dirt in the Northern Territory, and Clarken said he handled the trip with flying colours and that if anything, it has made him a better horse.
“I’m really happy with him,” Clarken said. “He’s travelled back from Darwin and seems to have toughened up a bit from a hard trip away. We were going to give him a spell but he travelled back so well, we decided to push on.
“His gallop here on Saturday was good, he hasn’t done a lot of work because he’s coming back in trip, but we’re really happy with the horse.”
This will be just the second time Handsome Return has contested stakes grade after he ran in this race last year, and Clarken is hopeful he is up to it.
“If everything goes right he’s up to it, and if he can recapture some of his good form then he would be,” the trainer said.
“He seems to be going well on the dirt, whether that transpires to him running well in a race like this, I’m not sure.”
“He seems to be going well on the dirt, whether that transpires to him running well in a race like this, I’m not sure.” - Will Clarken
The Adelaide trainer also provided an update on star mare Bella Vella (Commands) ahead of her next target in the G1 Moir S. at her favourite track, The Valley, next Friday.
“Bella Vella is fantastic,” Clarken said. “She had a jump-out this morning, she wasn’t asked to do anything but we’re really happy with her.
“She pulled up good and mentally she’s in a very happy spot so it’s just all maintenance now, she’ll spend plenty of time at the beach and we’re looking forward to the race.”
A Group 1-winning daughter of Commands, Bella Vella is a very valuable breeding prospect but Clarken said there are no plans to send her to the breeding barn in the near future, with a G1 Robert Sangster S. defence well and truly on her agenda.
“Providing the horse is happy and healthy and sound then she’ll go on to try for another tilt at the Sangster next year,” he said.
Bella Vella (green silks)
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have the three leading chances for Wednesday’s Balaklava Cup with Savatoxl (Kuroshio), Winning Partner (Dawn Approach {Ire}), and East Indiaman (Hinchinbrook) all equal favourites at $7.50 at the time of writing.
Having his first start for the campaign and for the McEvoy stable, Savatoxl won his official trial by 1.2l on the bridle but has a sticky barrier in 20.
Winning Partner has been racing consistently throughout the winter months and while last start was a forgive run on a waterlogged track at The Valley, his start before he finished second behind progressive gelding Tavidance (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
East Indiaman was unlucky last start when finishing second to Peloton (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) but he has never won over 1600 metres.
Peloton is also set to line up in the race as an $11 chance off the back of his tough last start win. He is from the in-form stable of Michael Hickmott but is another one who has never won over 1600 metres.
