Trainer Matt Cumani is in no hurry to push Golden Authority, who kept his record intact this campaign with a narrow win at Sandown.
Appreciating the rise to 1800m, Golden Authority required every metre of Wednesday’s race to claim the Spicer Thoroughbreds Handicap.
“The way he won last time I was half thinking of running him again over a mile,” Cumani said.
“But I thought no, step him up now as he’s always looked like a horse that needs a bit further.
“Today he needed every yard of the trip.”
Ridden by Jordan Childs, Golden Authority ($3.10) arrived in the final few strides to score by a half-head over Adatto ($21) with Red Choux’s ($7) a length away third.
“He is a fantastic horse as he’s not fully there mentally yet,” Cumani said.
“Hopefully he’ll keep improving and he’ll continue taking that step up in grade.”
After winning on debut at Bendigo in February, Golden Authority progressed to 2800m in the VRC St Leger at Flemington at his third race start.
Cumani said the Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on January 1 would be a suitable race, but he’s prepared to think more long term.
Golden Authority is part-owned by Gerry Ryan, who has won Melbourne Cups with Americain and Prince Of Penzance.
Cumani says another 12 to 18 months will see Golden Authority at his best.
“Gerry bought him and sent him to me to be patient and gentle on him,” Cumani said.
“He was a horse that went through a breeze up sale and was pushed quite hard as a young horse.
“We’ve been really gentle with him as he has a few little niggles which we have to look after, but they don’t seem to be bothering him too much on the way through.”
Cumani says one of Golden Authority’s best attributes is his ability to relax as stock of his sire Authorized can be hotheads.
The trainer said the gelding handled a tough trip from Ballarat to Sandown much better than other horses from Ballarat did on Wednesday.
Credit: AAP