“I had a very small part when Winx won her first Cox Plate,” Sutton told us during the week. “I was down in Melbourne with Chris then, so that was quite exciting. At the time he had other Group 1 performed horses like Press Statement, Kermadec, Japonisme. “Then with the Corstens I was fortunate enough to travel around the world with The Astrologist. He hasn’t won a Group 1, but he’s come close a couple of times in the Newmarket and in Dubai.” In March 2024 Sutton had his first runner at The Valley, when Rebadge placed 7th in The Valley Summer Middle Distance Series Final. His first winner came only two weeks later, when the son of Super Seth Feroce broke his maiden at Pakenham, a horse who ran 2nd in the Caulfield Guineas last year, narrowly unable to repeat the deeds of his sire. In less than 12 months, he’s opened a stable at Pakenham with horses and clients new and old, relocated to Ballarat, and then opened up a second training complex at Flemington, where he was initially knocked back from the club. “It got to the stage where I’d been with the Corstens for 8 years. I had to make the decision as to what the next step was. “I was fortunate enough that I had some really good backing from some really good clients back in the UK who were happy to support me and buy horses straightaway. “We made the leap, and most of it has been what I expected, but running a business and starting from scratch, there has been a few eye openers and things we got wrong early doors that we’ve had to change and adjust to.” On Melbourne Cup Day in 2024 his career highlight came when Garachico saluted in the Australian Heritage Cup over 2800 metres. The son of Ribchester who previously raced in France had taken some time to break through in Australia but won in dominant fashion and a cricket score odds of 60-1. After going for a 10-week spell, he proved the victory was no fluke when he won first up over 2000 metres at Caulfield, again underestimated in betting with a double figure starting price. “He’s an out and out stayer who’s really starting to hit his straps now. “Probably the biggest thrill I’ve had on a racecourse is when he won on Melbourne Cup Day, I had my father over from the UK so that was pretty special. “For him to come back and win first time out at Caulfield the other day over 2000 metres was really impressive, we were expecting it to be more of a prep run for further distances. “The Torney Cup has always been on our radar, since last preparation, and I think he’s only going to improve off that first up effort.” Garachico has just 54.5kg in Friday night’s feature race, and has drawn barrier 3 with Michael Dee on board.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA1NTI=