TRAINER Adam O'Neill credits a change in environment for the improved form of his stable of gallopers.
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About four months after shifting his training base from his former stables at the rear of the Bendigo Jockey Club, to the Bagshot property he shares with is partner Anna Sutton, the young trainer says his horses have never been happier and healthier.
And the proof is in the results.
"We've had 13 runners since moving to the farm full-time, eight have run top four, and this season alone we have had six starters for a first, a second, a third and a fourth, and the others have only finished a length-and-a-half behind the winner," he said.
"In our last six runners we haven't finished further back than three-and-a-half lengths (behind the winner).
"We have a lot of people calling and texting saying 'your horses are really hitting the line'. The horses are really responding to being out here and I'm finding no troubles with viral infections, greasy heel infections, or anything like that - out here they've had nothing."
A bright start to the 2019-20 season for O'Neill hit a quick high at Benalla on Tuesday with the win of Danubian, who has only been in his stable a few months.
After putting her hoof on the till with a second over 1600m at Wodonga in early August, the five-year-old mare broke through for her first win for her new trainer at start number four over the 2050m journey.
"We thought Benalla was going to suit her, you can swoop from there, which suits her racing style," O'Neill said.
"My go-to man (jockey) Cory Parish, outside David Hayes, he's ridden his second most number of wins for more, and he sure gets me over the line when I need him to.
"We have a good strike-rate together; he's ridden 15 winners for me now."
The horses are really responding to being out here (at Baghshot).
- Adam O'Neill
It's been a long journey to O'Neill's stable for Danubian, the daughter of Group 1-winner Foxwedge and Khepri, who started her racing career in Newcastle under trainer Kris Lees, before a switch to Victoria and Seymour trainer Murray Johnson.
The mare showed some early promise for Johnson, with a trio of early thirds, two of them with Bendigo jockey John Keating, who is a big rap for the horse, in the saddle.
"I know Johnny was hoping to be able to get to race ride her, but that's not happened as such for obvious reasons," said O'Neill in reference to the jockey's injuries sustained in a race fall in April.
With Keating back at track work, he could well get that chance down the line.
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The horse, however, is part-owned by Keating's wife Desiree, and her mother and father (Colin and Dianne Pettit), her grandmother Elva Horridge, and uncle and Tatura Racing Club committee member Jim Horridge, as well as Anna Sutton.
There was much cause for excitement at Benalla among ownership.
Danubian is the first horse 90-year-old Elva has owned, and according to Desiree, "just about crash-tackle hugged the jockey".
"Danubian is the first horse she has ever patted, even though she's been coming to the races for years to watch John ride," she said.
"Elva was 90 in February and widowed four years ago ... her brother Harold turned 97 on (race day).
"It's also the first galloper dad has been in. That side of the family has always had trotters."
O'Neill, who has been licensed for 15 years and trained his first winner in 2003, will next target a 2100m benchmark 58 race at Echuca on September 14 with Danubian.
"I am mindful that she would have had three runs in about 20 days, I just need to make sure she comes up from it,"
"If it doesn't eventuate, I'll hold the fort and there's race at Tatura the following week."
With an ounce or so more of luck, O'Neill could have returned from Benalla with a double, with the six-year-old gelding The Rich Fisher striking plenty of trouble on his way to third in a 1200m benchmark 58.
"Early doors he got shoved four-deep and couldn't get back in .... not even Cory Parish could work some magic there," he said.
"Four-wide with no cover the whole way and he's run third, beaten a length and three-quarters, and he's copped a couple of nasty bumps in the straight for his efforts.
He's needed a bit of panel-beating since he's got home, but he'll bounce back, he always does."
Now settled at Bagshot, and with much to look forward to with a batch of promising youngsters still yet to make their debut, the Bendigo trainer is hoping the winners can continue to flow.
"It's been slow progress setting it up, but we have our 600m sand track that's absolutely brilliant - it's well-drained and the horses love it," O'Neill said.
"They love not having to go in on the truck (to Bendigo) every day and love the option of working on the jogger in their own comfortable environment.
"It's a great freshen up for them. They're athletes, but at the same time they can rest in the paddock. It's the best of both worlds - they're away from the hustle and bustle of the stables.
"A happy horse makes a difference - I should have done it five years ago."
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