When Allan Richardson describes his Autumn Series starter, Rock Of Cashel, only a few words came to mind.
“He’s the size of a mouse with the heart of a lion.”
The young trotter who is “barely 15 hands” according to his trainer will start from Post 5 in the first of two $15,000 Autumn Series divisions on Friday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.
“He’s coming along very nicely,” Richardson said from his Campbellville, Ont. home. “He’s had some back luck this season with sickness and allergies, but it seems the worst is behind him now.”
The two-time winner has banked $49,808 in his career from just 19 career starts for Richardson, who trains, drives and co-owns with Jeff Ruch of Innisfil, Ont.
“We only raced him once last season because he was just immature and wasn’t ready,” said the 42-year-old conditioner. “He raced in the Tie Silk back in April and he is still racing so I guess he’s built for longevity. That’s the approach we’re taking.”
Rock Of Cashel has been racing at is best in his last four starts with a 2-0-1 record that Richardson attributes that to the addition of lasix.
“Since we put him on lasix that has really seemed to help,” he said. “He has allergies and the lasix has seemed to help with that. He’s been a lot more consistent.”
Richardson has steered his youngster in all but one career start and says his best driving style is racing from behind.
“He really enjoys passing horses,” he said. “He’ll fight all day long to pass that horse he’s following. When he’s on the front he can get a little lost and green.”
Richardson was the sole owner of Rock Of Cashel until Ruch got involved.
“I owned the mother and bred her and I decided to send her to Jeff’s place to be foaled out,” he said. “Once the foal was on the ground, Jeff took an interest in him and wanted to be a partner. We have a Kadabra on the way and Jeff and I have a foal-sharing agreement.”
Come Friday evening, the “mouse with the heart of a lion” will look for his third career tally.
The Autumn Series is for Ontario-sired three-year-old colt trotters that were non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of September 30, 2013.
To view the harness racing entries for Friday at Woodbine, click the following link: Friday Entries – Woodbine Racetrack.
(WEG)