No distance query for Ahooshu says Green

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Graeme Green has warned punters that statistics can be misleading as talented sprinter Ahooshu attempts to overcome a distance query at Mackay on Tuesday.

Ahooshu has failed at his only two attempts to win beyond 1200 metres and will try for a third time when the gelding steps out in the Open Handicap over 1300 metres.

The son of Better Then Ready has not placed in his only two starts beyond 1200 metres and is coming off a last start second to the Nick Walsh-trained  Villa Villekulla over the same trip at Rockhampton on August 1.

The four-year-old previously finished fourth to Cabala Escuro over 1300 metres in the Mackay Newmarket on July 15.

“He only just got beaten in the Mackay Newmarket when he led and was left a sitting duck and was run down in the last 50 metres,” Green said.

“At his last run he went too soon and was run down again but I was happy with the run.

“He can carry weight so I’ve put Chris Whiteley on him this time so hopefully his experience will help.

“I don’t think the distance will be any problem but drawing the outside barrier of ten doesn’t help his chances.

“It’s an open race and now that Plenty didn’t accept, anything can win.”

Ahooshu is race by Green’s wife Julie, who paid $28,000 for him at the Gold Coast Magic Millions March sales as a yearling.

“I picked him out at the sales and Julie fell in love with him as soon as she saw him,” Green said.

“Julie used to train in her own right but she’s never raced a horse by herself until she bought him.

“As well as training she used to work in retail for 20 years before she retired three years ago.”

Ahooshu has gone on to be a great money spinner for Green, starting 20 times for eight wins and seven placings, with prize money just short of $300,000.

Green is hopeful Ahooshu can earn a trip down south for a restricted race at the Gold Coast in early September if successful on Tuesday. 

“There’s a one metro win at the Gold Coast next month and he’ll run in that if he can perform well again at Mackay,” Green said.

“We were thinking of starting Master Jamie in the Weetwood at Toowoomba next month but he’s gone to the paddock to prepare for the big summer races in Brisbane.”