Tobias thrives in the rain

Michael Lee
Sunday, October 19, 2008

Tobias finished the best in the $55,000 Class 4 Panasonic IP-PBX Stakes (2000m) despite the turf track taking a soaking from the battering rain.

Unsighted for most of the trip, the Germano five-year-old took full advantage of a rails run from his marble one to gradually move within striking distance by the home turn.

Heavy rain couldn't stop Tobias and Michael Cahill taking Race 5 on Sunday.

Ridden by Michael Cahill, Tobias ran on stoutly to score by a length from Euro Express (Robbie Fradd) with race-leader Trinity Treasure (Alan Ng) holding on for third, separated by a similar margin.

Trainer Steven Burridge, who seems to have struck a fruitful partnership with Cahill, had plenty of faith in the rider’s ability to steer his charge home.

“Michael is a very good jockey. I didn’t give him any instructions and just told him to race him the way he saw best,” said Burridge.

“He lost by a short head to Pacific Hunter over 2000m two starts back, but then he disappointed me a little when he ran unplaced on the Polytrack.

“Credit to Michael for turning him around today, even though it rained buckets before the race.

“We knew he’s won and was placed on yielding track before. So we thought that was a good gauge as to how he would handle the soft track.

“Today, I was just a little concerned he was a little far behind in the early stages, but Michael had his reason not to set him alight early.

When the heavens opened a few minutes before that race, the sudden downpour caused the going to be downgraded from good to soft.

“Look, he’s nothing sensational but he’s proven he can stay – but no, I’m not looking at the Gold Cup!” said Burridge, dispelling any speculation of loftier heights for Tobias.

“He probably will go for a spell now as he has been around a fair bit now. He’s a good doer and a sound horse and he will be back in good shape.”

Cahill has now chalked up seven wins, five of which are for Burridge (previous winners are Drovetti, Happy Everybody, Zinku and The Big Gee).

“I dropped him back early and rode him cold,” said Cahill. “But at the 250m, he really let down very well and I rode him pretty hard just to make sure he’d get there as he was beat narrowly two starts back.

“The 10 furlongs seem to be his best distance and he could probably go further, but there aren’t that many staying races here.

"He also seems to relish the rainy conditions as well."