News

Big Time decision for O'Shea

25th Sep 2011

Racing And Sports - Glenn Moore - Saturday, 24 September 2011

Trainer John O'Shea has a serious decision to make after promising galloper Big Time led throughout to win the $100,000 Listed Milton Meats Dulcify Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill today.

Big Time collected a win at Warwick Farm six days earlier and if he is to race in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes next weekend that will be three races in thirteen days as a spring three-year-old.

“I'll have to talk to the team about another seven day back-up but I have to say the racing doesn't seem to be hurting him,” O'Shea said.

A $220,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase, Big Time's sire Danewin claimed the Dulicify-Spring Champion double and after Saturday's efforts a repeat could be on the cards.

Ridden by Christian Reith, Big Time jumped well from a wide draw and was quick to take up the lead spot, which he never relinquished.

Reith let the big striding three-year-old roll along in front and as the field approached the turn Big Time was almost at top gear and after rounding the bend he definitely was.

Passing the 200m Big Time had opened up a five length advantage and the race was as good as over as Reith eased him down over the line to score by three and a half lengths.

Quackquack (Berry) ran on well for second while Induna (Brown) was three quarters of a length away in third place. The overall time was 1.56.54 and the final 600m was run in 35.58.

“He is only a spring three-year-old so he is not too slow to mature,” O'Shea said.

“He is a horse we have had a nice opinion of his whole career, we have just brought him along steadily and as soon as he got up to distances that suited him he has been effective.

“He is a big gross horse, so at this time of year we don't like to hammer them on the tracks, we try and race them into condition.”

“I have always had an opinion of this horse, from day one, since I first rode him at the track,” Reith said.

“He is a big baby still, a bit raw but an absolute gentleman to ride and the longer we go the better he is going to get.

“He has a big stride and he is just like driving a Rolls Royce, he just glides.

“Backing-up is a question for John, I can only ride the horse and see how he feels, and he felt great today.”

Big Time is out of the Secret Savings (USA) mare Salameh and is owned by P Horwitz, Mrs H Horwitz, Ms B Horwitz, S Horwitz, J Horwitz, Hobartville Stud P/L Synd (Mgr: G Mapp), S Brem & Stags Synd (Mgr: A Falk).