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Racing

Off speed suits tough Axius

Cup to provide a good guide gelding's future plans.

AXIUS winning the JACK INGHAM AO HANDICAP at Randwick in Australia.
AXIUS winning the JACK INGHAM AO HANDICAP at Randwick in Australia. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Tim Clark know they have a gelding with ability the opportunity to ride Axius back in the field and pounce late could deliver another win in the Group 3 HKJC World Pool Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick.

The four-year-old gelding by popular Coolmore stallion Justify has built an impressive record with five wins and two placings in 19 starts with his latest a career ratings peak victory in the HKD6 million Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at Gold Coast in Australia on January 17.

"He obviously put up a big number at the Gold Coast winning the Magic Millions Sprint," Clark said.

"He's been a horse that has been threatening to do something like he did.

"He's a big, tough, headstrong Justify gelding who really enjoyed riding the back of that good speed at the Gold Coast. It was a dominant performance up there and he still gets into this race with a very light weight."

Carrying 118 pounds (53.5-kilos) here under the weight-for-age conditions, Axius can make an impression on the older horses after a placing in a trial at Warwick Farm in Sydney on February 16.

"I didn't ride him in the trial him the other day, but he looked to trial well," Clark said.

"He's an interesting runner to see where he measures up. He beat The Instructor home at the Gold Coast and meets him better at the weights on Saturday."

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, The Instructor has shown his best over distances between 1200m and 1400m.

"The race on Saturday is probably going to decide his future plans through the autumn and the winter and how high they can aim with him," Clark added of Axius.

"But he has barely put a foot wrong during his career and they've been very patient with him, so they're getting the rewards now."

A 26-time Group 1 winning jockey, Tim Clark has a 12% winning strike-rate across his career in over 14,000 rides which have included 59 winners in Hong Kong.


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