News

Aeratus bows out a winner

21st Jul 2014

Racing Victoria - Brad Bishop - Saturday, 19 July 2014

Aeratus ended a highly-profitable campaign the way he started it – with a victory – taking out the $80,000 Internationaler Club Baden Baden Club Handicap at the final Flemington meeting of the 2013/14 season.

The Mick Price-trained gelding continued his stellar off-season run with a strong win win in the 1600-metre event.

It followed Provincial Plate victory at the same course three weeks earlier and gave him five wins from six starts this time in – he finished second at the other start – which was a testament to the patience of owners Frank and Karen Butler according to Price.

“Frank Butler’s an owner with a property who understands horses and he was happy to give him time,” the Caulfield horseman said.

“If you spell your horse for a big chunk of their three-year-old year – a lot of people don’t get that concept – (they thrive) and he’s a big horse who needed to furnish out. Now he’s reaping the rewards.”

Aeratus benefitted from a fine Glen Boss ride to take his career stats to six wins from 11 starts.

Boss camped on the back of the leaders, took over midway down the straight and held off late challengers Chile Express and Prizum, who dead-heated for second, 1-1/2 lengths behind Aeratus.

Despite the win, Price said there would not be a seventh success this time in for Aeratus, who would be in the spelling paddock on Monday.

“He’s going to the paddock – that’s booked in, signed sealed and delivered – so I can’t undo that,” he said.

“I don’t want to anyway. He’s had a freshen and this win is a result of a freshen this run.”