Goulburn-based trainer Kurt Goldman only has about 15 horses in work and his stable star Irish Songs is the one giving him a profitable ride.
The Shamus Award gelding has amassed almost $330,000 in prizemoney and has taken Goldman far and wide throughout New South Wales.
And pending how he performs at Randwick on the Kensington surface this Saturday there’s another trip on the cards and that’s to the lucrative Magic Millions meeting on the Gold Coast next month.
The five-year-old has won a Randwick Highway, a Wagga Town Plate and was only beaten by three lengths in this year’s Kosciuszko.
Although he has started 28 times, Goldman explained that Irish Song still hasn’t put it all together.
“He’s been a good horse for the stable,” Goldman said.
“He still has his moments, he’s getting better but he definitely still has his quirks.
“He loves going to the races but he’s still just a work in progress. He’s just a big kid,” he said.
Goldman is thankful for drawing well in barrier two on Saturday.
He also gets the services of Sam Clipperton, who was on board for that Highway victory.
“The stop start events don’t suit him,” Goldman said.
“Nor when he draws a barrier where the jockey has to grab hold and try to put him in a position, he tends to want to resent and fight them a little bit.”
“But from the better barrier two on Saturday if he jumps and puts himself in a good spot, he’s obviously a much happier horse. He loves the wet so no problems there.”
The Randwick Kensington surface is currently rated a Soft 7 with further rain forecast for Friday and Saturday.