RAY Besanko hopes Red Inca, winner of today's Seascay Handicap at Flemington, can progress to the $500,000 Australian Guineas, reports TVN. Besanko said Red Inca, a $90,000 yearling at the Magic Millions sale, would head next to the Guineas via the CS Hayes Stakes (1400 m) at Flemington on February 16. He noted that he had been working a long time to get a horse of the untapped ability of Red Inca. "I've had a lot of fair horses, but to get one like this with the promise is just fantastic,&
RAY Besanko hopes Red Inca, winner of today's Seascay Handicap at Flemington, can progress to the $500,000 Australian Guineas, reports TVN.
Besanko said Red Inca, a $90,000 yearling at the Magic Millions sale, would head next to the Guineas via the CS Hayes Stakes (1400 m) at Flemington on February 16.
He noted that he had been working a long time to get a horse of the untapped ability of Red Inca.
"I've had a lot of fair horses, but to get one like this with the promise is just fantastic," Besanko said.
"We went up to the Magic Millions, walked around and looked at about 100 horses and we picked him out.
"We went $10,000 over budget, but he's worth it now."
Red Inca, $7, stormed home to win by a half neck from General Groove, $16, with a long head to Haussmann, $14, third.
Emperor Max, the $5 favourite, which finished 13th, was never a winning chance.
Peter Mertens described Red Inca as a "progressive horse", but wondered if the Australian Guineas may come around too soon for this son of Stratum.
Mertens said that Red Inca would develop into an even better spring horse once he furnishes and gets out to 1600 metres.
"He's been a lot of hard work along the way. They've had to cut him and today he kicked out at the gates," Mertens said.
"He's one of those horses who doesn't know what to do yet. He has the ability, but when he hit the front he propped as if 'what the hell am I doing here'.
"When the other horse (General Groove) challenged him he went 'ok, I'll now go'. He's a work in progress,"