LIGHTNING failed to strike twice in this year’s $150,000 Pooles Accountants Golden Topaz when the Nathan Hobson-trained Yulong Storm tried to repeat its 2023 victory in one of regional Victoria’s sprint classics.
Instead the odds-on Press Down hit the headlines when he hit the line four lengths clear of the field – with a brave Yulong Storm 7.5 lengths adrift.
Rider Neil Farley gave the red-hot punters’ pick the run of the race, just loping along behind pacesetter Colsridge for much of the journey.
And when the field turned for home Farley still had the four-year-old gelding on the bridle.
As soon as Farley let him go, Press Down simply blew the other runners away and only stopped extending his lead when he crossed the line.
His SA-based trainer Peter Hardacre made a big call to skip a Flemington run on Saturday in favour of the Golden Topaz, a tough decision for an emerging trainer yet to win his first Victorian metro race.
But the Murray Bridge-based Hardacre’s decision was more than vindicated by Press Down’s performance – the win taking its career earnings past $320,000.
“That was a huge thrill, it’s the biggest win of my short career so far as a trainer. It means a hell of a lot,” Hardacre said.
“He’s a homebred horse, and we got a few mates in and jeepers he’s giving us a good ride and hopefully it can continue.”
Asked about the outside draw, which he conceded was his and Farley’s biggest concern, he said they knew a good start would be essential.
So, when the four-year-old hit the ground running and found a good on-pace spot without expending much energy, the confidence levels went up in running.
“It (the draw) certainly wasn’t ideal … not knowing the track as well, I had been hoping it was out of the chute and with one little turn, so it wouldn’t matter as much,” Hardacre said.
“But when we took a look at the track map and saw you had to do the whole turn, we thought we would really need to get across.
“But seeing him jump well, I think that was the key, once he jumped well and went forward, and sat there without being pressured and that was the key to him today.
“Neil gets on with him really well, he kept him in a good rhythm and the horse is really showing what he can do.”
Racing.com reports the Golden Topaz is the fourth heat of the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series, with Press Down now qualified for the $150,000 Listed-level final, to be run at Flemington in early July.
Hardacre saw no reason not to press on – looking for that elusive first Victorian metro win.
“I think so … he’s only been lightly raced this prep and we’ve got a bit of time before that comes up at Flemington,” he said.
“It’s the obvious way to go, we’ll be a little bit restricted with what races we can run him in due to his rating getting up there.
“But he’s been to Flemington and performed well before, so hopefully he can do that again.”
Farley said he was “pretty confident” coming into the race that he was on a nice horse.
He said he had no doubt Press Down will give his trainer a lot of fun and will soon pick up a big one somewhere.
“The horse was dominant today, he relaxed really well and got into a good rhythm and then he gave a good kick,” Farley said.
“I am pretty sure he has a lot more to give yet.
“Because I think he is still piecing the whole racing game together to be honest.
“He can be a bit erratic, and the past couple of times I have ridden him I have just gone with him … he’s really exciting.”
