Pat Carey, operating locally, has finally exorcised his Hareeba Stakes demons with Recon delivering a brilliant final furlong to win at Mornington.
The Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) represented a nagging issue for Carey through numerous years of endeavour, featuring a second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third position with Dan Zephyr 10 years subsequently.
Ten years further on, Recon furnishes the Pat Carey and Harris Walker establishment with the premier sprint of Mornington Cup Day.
Patrick Moloney guided Recon ($4.80) to a powerful finish, prevailing by 1-½ lengths over La Fracas ($4.40 favourite), as Pop Award ($10) trailed by half a length for third.
“This race has been a bit of a thorn in my side,” Carey said.
“We’ve had plenty of goes at this race, so it’s nice to win this race today.
“I’ve run a number of placings in it but Recon has always shown good ability.
“Steve Watkins, who owns him and bred him, always felt he was one of his better horses he has had and he’s had a number of good horses including Abaridy who won a Caulfield Guineas.
“He got shuffled back to nearly last at one point just before the corner, but Pat didn’t panic and brought him out wide and gave him a clear run.
“He’s done nothing wrong since coming down to Melbourne, and he’s got a bit bigger and bit stronger. He’s still a lightly raced horse and he’s still learning his trade and open to good improvement.”
Carey established himself at Mornington following the prior century’s Epsom Training Centre closure, stepping into Ken Newman’s former stalls, where Hareeba was once housed.
“When Kenny wound down his training operation, I took over his stalls and I daresay the stall Recon sits in everyday is Hareeba’s old stall,” Carey said.
With six successes from 11 runs, Carey prefers to savour Saturday’s win before charting Recon’s course forward.
“I haven’t thought about anything other than today,” Carey said.
“He’s a lightly raced horse and there’s lots of races for a horse like him this year, next year and hopefully the year after.”
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