Acrophobic seeking hat-trick

Photos: Jim Law Race Photography

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Jamie McConachy is confident rejuvenated sprinter Acrophobic can complete a hat-trick of wins at Rockhampton on Tuesday but doubts the North Queensland Winter Racing Carnival will be on his agenda.

Acrophobic – a Justin Stanley mount – tackles the Class Six Plate over 1600 metres.

McConachy picked up Acrophobic after taking a call from the rising seven-year-old’s owner Chris Thomas, who has been a loyal stable supporter.

“I got a call one day from Chris asking if I’d take him on when he was in Brisbane with Matt Hoysted and Steve O’Dea,” McConachy said.

“I gave him two runs before deciding to spell him as he hadn’t had a spell for seven months and was a tired horse.

“He hadn’t won a race for two years so I decided to tip him out for two months.”

Acrophobic returned from his break and was successful at his third run for McConachy at Mackay in June before breaking through at his first start in open company over 1560 metres at Mackay on July 4.

“He was still eligible for a Class Two when I first got him and he brained them last start at Mackay and was going away from them,” McConachy said.

“We rode him just off the pace and he had them all covered on the home turn.

“His owners are keen to see if he’ll run 1800 metres but for the time being I’d rather see him stick to Plate races.”

McConachy said Acrophobic came to him in good order and health and the only change he’s made was to remove some of his gear.

“Before he raced in Brisbane he was with John O’Shea and Cody Morgan in NSW but I noticed he was pulling too hard in his races so I removed his blinkers and took his tongue-tie off,” he said.

“He’ll be very competitive again but I can’t see him going north for the Townsville and Cairns carnivals.”

Meanwhile, Stanley is hoping Acrophobic will be part of a big day with a strong book of six rides at Callaghan Park.

Stanley has four other rides for in-form trainer Clinton Taylor including Barry’s Lane in the Benchmark 58 Handicap and the Kris Hansen-trained Run Freda Run in the Maiden Handicap.

Former NSW sprinter Barry’s Lane is unbeaten since joining Taylor’s stable and is attempting to stretch his winning sequence to four.