CHANGE OF FORTUNE: Woorim, unlucky in the Stradbroke, carried a record 58.5kg to score back-to-back wins in the $175,000 Listed Glasshouse at Caloundra yesterday under jockey Damian Browne. Picture: Peter Wallis
Source: The Courier-Mail
CONNECTIONS of Woorim were left to ponder what might have been as the top sprinter picked up a consolation prize by winning yesterday’s $175,000 Listed Glasshouse at Caloundra.
Woorim was the unlucky runner of this year’s Stradbroke, and owners Ross and Judy Cutts felt he would have tested the winner had he been afforded a fair run in the straight.
However, the couple were thrilled to be back in the winning list yesterday, with Judy labelling Woorim a “heart attack” horse with his customary get-back style.
Regular rider Damian Browne reunited with the son of Show A Heart yesterday, replacing Stradbroke rider Corey Brown, and immediately struck up another winning combination.
Browne had won the BRC Sprint on Woorim before his Stradbroke seventh.
In winning, Woorim created a little piece of history. He set a weight-carrying record of 58.5kg and also becomes the first horse to win the race in successive years. The only other dual winner was Rancho’s Coup, who won the race in 1995 and 1997.
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Woorim eased from $4.80 to start a $6 chance, with punters concerned about the wet track and his big weight, but he proved too classy.
Drenalin looked the winner at the 300m point, but Woorim emerged on the scene soon after and surged to the lead.
Meet George ($21) flashed home late to grab second 11/4 lengths away, with former Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready ($9) continuing his consistent form this time in for third, another three lengths away.
Trainer Rob Heathcote is absent on holidays, but stable representative Melissa Leitch said Woorim would again be given his chance at Group 1 glory in the south.
“We will look at having one run at Doomben and then target the Sir Rupert Clarke, which he went so close in last year,” Leitch said.
“Everything was against him today – the (wet) track, the weight. When he went back to last I thought he had no chance.”
Browne admitted he was far from confident in the run.
“He really struggled for a fair way but like all class horses, he really picked up,” he said. “Mid-race he was just floundering a bit.
“When he got out at the 300m, his turn of foot put paid to them but then he just staggered the last little bit, which he was entitled to do.”
Brian Smith lamented the lack of luck for runner-up Meet George this time in, but said he would press on.
“He’s had no luck right from the Gold Coast to here. He might be worth running in the Ramornie now,” Smith said.