Sea Raider given a slight edge to complete hat-trick

By Glenn Davis

John Gilmore may not be a household name to many racing folk but the wily Gold Coast trainer has a good eye when it comes to buying horses.

Gilmore, who turns 74 later this month, only has six horses in work and two – Happy Go Plucky and Sea Raider - will clash in the Open Handicap over 1630 metres at Doomben on Saturday.

Gilmore bought both at the Magic Millions sales and has turned a $17,000 outlay into a near $800,000 profit.

Happy Go Plucky was knocked down to Gilmore for $7,300 and has gone on to win almost $489,000 while Sea Raider cost $10,000 and has won more than $306,000.

“Both of them are very nice horses and have won 10 races each,” Gilmore said.

“I’ve only got six horses and I picked up another two at the Magic Millions.

“I bought Capitalist filly for $70,000 and a Pariah filly for $20,000.”

Gilmore has given punters a lead by favouring last start Doomben winner Sea Raider over Last year’s Ipswich Cup winner Happy Go Plucky.

Sea Raider is chasing a hat-trick of wins after beating Roman Aureus at the Gold Coast on January 8 before a narrow victory for Noel Callow in a 1600-metre Benchmark race on January 22.

Happy Go Plucky is coming off a last start fifth to the Chris Munce-trained Smart Meteor in the Shoot Out over 2200 metres at Doomben on New Year’s Day.

“I’d have to favour Sea Raider on their current form,” Gilmore said.

“Happy Go Plucky went off for a while and he seemed to race a bit flat last start so I gave him a freshen up for this race.

“I don’t think he appreciated some of the heavy tracks and big weights he’s been carrying.

“He’s coming back to 1600 metres but that won’t worry him as he’s got good residual fitness.”

Gilmore has booked apprentice Jayden Lloyd to ride Happy Go Plucky while Steph Thornton reunites with Sea Raider, with Noel Callow deciding to stay at the Gold Coast.

“Sea Raider has been working well since his last run and he’s bullet proof on any track and is unbeaten on heavy tracks,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore has been training for 36 years and has vast experience working and training overseas.

His career has taken him to paces such as Macau, Beijing, Whuhan, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi.