By Jordan Gerrans
With just one horse in work, Toowoomba trainer Ross Coveney is bullish about Eskdale Girl’s TAB Battle of the Bush chances after claiming the Jandowae qualifier.
Coveney’s trip out to the Jandowae Race Club was worth it on Saturday after Eskdale Girl bolted in to claim the heat, ridden a treat by apprentice jockey Jasmine Cornish.
Based at Clifford Park, Coveney only has a tiny team of horses, one in his stable at the minute, with another couple to come back into work in the winter and will now have a starter on Tattersall’s Tiara Raceday at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 20.
Earlier in his career, the experienced trainer had as many as eight in work, but currently just has Eskdale Girl ticking along, with a few babies to come into his barn in the near future.
Purchased by Coveney’s partner for just $6,500, the 67-year-old has been pleased with his mare’s form leading into Saturday’s heat.
“I just freshened her up from 1400 metres back to 1200 and kept her fresh, that was it and it was all over quickly on Saturday,” Coveney said.
“It was pretty lively out on there on Saturday, she can run on any track and can handle the hard or the soft surfaces.
“She is honest and always puts in.
“She will be competitive in the Final, her last start at Ipswich was great.”
Eskdale Girl had gone close in each of her last four, without greeting the judges first, but appreciated the trip out to the dirt track as the five-year-old chestnut mare got home by almost two lengths.
Rather Salubrious, trained by David Reynolds, was the pre-race favourite with the bookmakers but had to settle for second as Eskdale Girl and apprentice rider Cornish (pictured) could not be run down.
It was just Cornish’s second career victory after taking her first engagements in April of this year.
Cornish broke through for her first triumph at Gatton earlier this month.
“I told her that I did not care how wide she goes on Saturday, just keep her going,” Coveney explained of his instructions to Cornish.
“I told her to get going from the turn and she did, she rode her well.
“She did as she was told, which is very important with a horse like Eskdale Girl.
“Eskdale Girl just needs to be kept wide and kept going, it does not matter how wide she is, she runs better that way.”