Despite Comfort Me copping a horror barrier draw for the $1.5 million Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday, trainer Rhys Radford remains upbeat and is not quite ready to hoist the white flag just yet.
Comfort Me’s hopes were dealt a savage blow after drawing barrier 18, but Rhys Radford was keeping a positive frame of mind and has faith that his marvelous eight-year-old can maintain his high level of consistency in big races.
That reliability stood out when he won the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) first up this campaign, his first major success, but remarkably he is probably just as recognised for his three seconds in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and two thirds in the past two editions of the Gold Rush.
Expertly managed by Radford, the son of Playing God might not go down as one of Perth’s greatest champions, but after eight wins from 43 starts with 13 placings and $1.6 million in prize money, every trainer would love a stable full of Comfort Me’s
Radford said Comfort Me was ready to have his third attempt at winning the Gold Rush after getting to within 3/4 of a length and leading the locals against interstate visitor, Port Lockroy in the Railway Stakes two weeks ago.
“We can’t get the horse any better, we just need a lot more luck than normal from out there,” Radford said on Tabradio.
“He’s a very happy horse and I can’t fault him; he certainly hasn’t gone backwards and is a credit to himself.
“He still has a massive zest for racing and thankfully he’s been able to stay sound.”
Unlike Radford, jockey Holly Watson wasn’t fazed by the draw and is keen to get back in the thick of the action after serving a suspension since the Railway.
“I sent Holly a message after the barriers and she thinks we can overcome it,” Radford said.
“As long as she’s excited it’s full steam ahead.”
Radford won’t overload Watson with too many instructions, but with a lack of perceived speed, he anticipates she will roll forward and look for the lead or close to it.
“I’ll leave all that to Holly, but you would think from out there we don’t have much of a choice, to be honest,” Radford said.
“Hopefully we can get to the front without spending too many petrol tickets.”
Comfort Me is one of four starters under $10 with Tabtouch.
At $8.50 he’s behind Western Empire ($3.70) and Super Smink ($5).
Rope Them In is $9.50.
A field of 16 runners with four emergencies has been declared for the Gold Rush.
