Toranaga Knocks the Doubters for Six
Trainer Graham Hughes knows to never underestimate a raw three-year-old talent.
In his 20s Hughes raised eyebrows when he threw his three-year-old Prince Lonely in the deep end in the 1979 Cleveland Bay Handicap.
He was a third emergency, got a start and with no weight cruised to a stunning victory.
Toranaga has a long way to go to be in the same class as the Prince, but the wayward young gelding reminded Hughes of just how quickly a horse can improve with another boilover 20-1 win at Cluden on Monday.
His win sealed a big day for Hughes and stable jockey Ivo Fry who also won with the ultra-consistent Prince Akeem ($11) in the Ladbrokes Open Hcp (1400m).
The rise of Toranaga over the past two months has the stable excited for the future.
Just six weeks ago he won a moderate maiden. Two runs later he stunned a good open 3YO field at 16-1, and on Monday stepped up against older and more experienced opponents and claimed the Mitavite BM65 Hcp (1200m).
“He’s only a three-year-old and I was saying to Ivo it’s a big jump today. But with these three-year-olds you don’t know how much they can improve,” Hughes said.
“The one I had before (Prince Lonely). When I nominated him for the Cleveland Bay people were saying you’re an idiot … but you weren’t an idiot when he streeted them.
“They can improve overnight.
“Toranaga was a cheap buy, but well bred. He’s by Maurice out of a Fastnet Rock mare. The owners paid good money for him but got sick of him after four starts down there (NSW).
“He was very immature and he’s still very green.
“Tahlia Fenlon got off him the other day when he won and she said he’s a pretty good horse. I know it was tougher today but I gave him a genuine chance.”
Toranaga prevailed in Monday’s sprint in a desperately tight finish to win by a nose from Kirikan but not before boring out badly close to the line.
His bad manners didn’t affect the result but Fry earned a suspension from stewards.
Fry admitted that he under-estimated the cheeky Toranaga.
“Of my three wins today Toranaga was a little bit unexpected up in a Benchmark 65. I think we’ve got a pretty good horse on our hands once he turns four and learns a bit more,” Fry said.
“He’s very immature. Even at trackwork he’s the one bouncing around, playing games and being an idiot.
“He really doesn’t know what he’s doing and you saw that today in the last 50m when he ran out and was all over the place.
“He beat me on Mister Doobie fair and square at his last start and I’ve got a fair opinion of Mister Doobie and then he’s beaten the older horses today in a strong benchmark race.”
Fry enjoyed a great day in the saddle with his double for Hughes and an earlier victory on Exceedingly Brazen in the Key Motors 3YO Mdn (1000m) for trainer Jeff Caught.
He said the successful partnership with Hughes was big factor in his resurgence as a rider since his comeback to the saddle full time late last year.
Hughes sits third on the Cluden trainers’ premiership with 17 wins and Fry is equal third in the jockeys’ title with 19 wins.
“The camp is going super. It’s a good team – Graham, myself, my daughter Sasha riding work. Everyone works well together,” Fry said.
“Graham has put a lot of faith in me and I’ve got lot of faith in Graham and I’m super happy with how it’s going and I’m sure he is too.
“Three for the day is great and the one I thought was my best chance, Foneeleven was a late scratching.”
Premiership leader Ryan Wiggins shared the day’s riding honours with Fry with a treble.
Wiggins saluted on the Hedley-owned pair Aye Vee Aitch and Bluebird Bay for trainer Steve Royes, and Breaches for Matt McGuire.
Royes has a high opinion of Bluebird Bay who won the Belle Property BM55 Hcp (1400m).
He has staying races in mind for the four-year-old.
“Both horses raced in Mackay the other week but it didn’t suit them. They just needed the big track today,” Royes said.
“There’s scope there for both of those horses, but particularly this fella (Bluebird Bay).
“He just wants to run. Ryan said he’ll get to the front over a mile and 2000m and just keep going.
“He’s a nice horse. Works well and is sound.
“This is a perfect time for horses that need ground. We’ll see how he progresses but you always set your sights high.
“It’d be nice to get him in some cup races but he’d probably need to win a couple more.
“He’s by a good sire in The Autumn Sun and if he clicks he’ll win a nice race, if not this year next year.”
Royes welcomed the stable’s change of luck after a quiet period with fewer starters.
“We’ve got a lot of horses just coming up so it was nice to get a couple of wins today. There’s some nice ones coming through.”
It was also a standout day for the local training ranks, who claimed every race on the card. Royes and Hughes prepared doubles, while Caught, McGuire and McGovern-trained runners added one win apiece in a dominant performance by Townsville-based stables.