Comerford Hopeful of Coaxing Best from Ultimate

Wulguru trainer Tony Comerford is convinced more wins are in store for consistent galloper Ultimate if he can just keep his mind on the job.

Ultimate is one of the leading fancies in the Thank You A Gabrielli Const. BM65 Hcp (1200m) at Cluden Park on Tuesday after a slashing first-up second behind boom galloper Tambo’s Justice a fortnight ago.

The strong son of Better Than Ready, under regular rider Graham Kliese, looked to have the unbeaten Tambo’s Justice on the ropes in the closing stages, but just fell short.

Comerford believes the four-year-old can improve his record of two wins and six placings from 16 starts if he can get over his tendency to “clock off” when the task is not quite done.

“I’ve kept him fresh since his first up run and he’s bouncing off the walls again so it tells me he’s ready to go again,” Comerford said.

“He always runs a good race but he hits a flat spot for about 100m in the straight, and then hits the line strongly.

“That’s what he was doing last year and I’m hoping we’ve got that out of him.

“The other day he loomed up as though he was going to win and it looked like he did it again, but he was first up and the other horse is pretty good.

“He needed the run, but luckily he didn’t have a real, tough run so that’s in his favour.

“On Tuesday, if it was 1400m I’d be a bit more confident and he drew awkwardly in the 10 alley. I’ll leave it up to Graham who’s on fire.

“The plan is to push him out to a mile but one thing is he goes well fresh so if there is no races, which happens sometimes up this way, you can just back off him and freshen him up and get back to 1200m or 1300m.”

Ultimate joined Comerford’s small team last year with one win and a placing in eight starts in the south-east of the State.

Since venturing to Townsville the gelding recorded three strong placings before winding up his first northern campaign with a strong win over 1609m at Cluden in December.

Comerford said the gelding, a noted fresh performer, would strip much fitter after his eye-catching first up performance.

And he’s delighted jockey Kliese will continue his association with Ultimate and fancied stablemate Real Tiger in the Mitavite C1 Hcp (1400m).

Kliese has been a top touch with 12 winners in his past 50 rides, including the Burdekin Cup on Nine Carat on May 17.  

Former Victorian gelding Real Tiger turned in a strong closing fourth at his first Cluden start behind Tymon over 1200m on May 16 after being caught in traffic early in the straight.

“He will probably improve off the run because I didn’t do much with him for the month when he got here. He only had one gallop going into that,” Comerford said.

“We gave him the 1200m first-up, with the aim this race on Tuesday.

“It was a good run and the 1400m suits him better.

“But he’s also drawn out a bit and meets a few of the others worse at the weights.

“Graham’s on fire at the moment and riding with plenty of confidence. If we get a bit of luck, my two should both be in it.

The six event card kicks off 1.17pm.