Drenalin Surging for Caloundra Clash

June 30, 2011

Drenalin Surging for Caloundra Clash

Low-key Deagon trainer James Lyons admits his heart will be pumping hard on Saturday when he saddles up his maturing galloper Drenalin in one of the feature races at Caloundra Cup Day on the Sunshine Coast.

Monashee Mountain five-year-old Drenalin was originally a dual acceptor across two states for Saturday, Lyons paying up for the gelding in both the $175,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Caloundra and the $100,000 Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in Sydney.

After much deliberation, however, Lyons decided to withdraw Drenalin from the Civic Stakes showdown and concentrate on a stakes win at Caloundra.

“I think the Glasshouse is a race for horses on the way up like Drenalin,” he said.

With both races run over 1400 metres, the Glasshouse Handicap boasted a number of advantages for Drenalin including the fact the horse is already in Queensland having raced at Ipswich just a fortnight ago.

“I had a good look at both races,” Lyons said.

“The program behind the Civic Stakes was to possibly stay down (in Sydney) for the Winter Stakes (Listed, 1500m race at Rosehill on July 16).

“The way the Glasshouse field has panned out and the weather conditions, it’s worked out for us.”

On Ipswich Cup Day, Drenalin ran an eye-catching third beaten just half a length by winner Adnocon and runner-up Gundy Son in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).

Woorim

Glasshouse Handicap defending champion and race favourite Woorim

Despite both the Gerald Ryan-trained Adnocon and Robert Heathcote’s Gundy Son, winner of the Listed Chief De Beers at Doomben last month, both backing up in the Glasshouse Handicap, Lyons remains undeterred.

“He’s come out of the race very well and he’s certainly a lot fitter,” he said of Drenalin.

“I thought he had the Eye Liner won on the corner when he cantered to the front.

“He popped out three wide at the 600 metres and was travelling easy but he just died on his run.”

Lyons is confident Drenalin has the ability to turn the tables on his Eye Liner Stakes conquerors, as well as the grit to race competitively in the Glasshouse against other notable rivals including defending champion and the punter’s favourite Woorim ($5) and the in-form Mystical Grey ($6.50).

“I thought I had him perfect in the Eye Liner but he certainly raced like a horse that was one short,” Lyons said.

“The two runs in have certainly done my horse the world of good.

“No doubt he’s on the up, the way he’s been trained and the way the prep has unfolded.”

Heathcote’s Show A Heart five-year-old Woorim may be the reigning Glasshouse Handicap winner, but this year they are the 58.5kg top-weight of the field and have also drawn wide in barrier 13 of 18.

Drenaline will carry 55.5kg with Eye Liner Stakes rider retained Brad Stewart for the mount, but also suffered an early blow in the barriers coming up with the unfavourable gate 16.

The wider draw, however, is something Drenaline has the ability to overcome as he proved when winning his first black-type in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast in May of 2010 on slow ground.

“We’ve drawn 16,” Lyons said.

“Everyone is going to be chasing the middle of the ground there, the fence is no good and out wide is no good.”

With the chance of rain and a Slow rated track at the Sunshine Coast for Saturday, Lyons believes this will also work in Drenalin’s favour.

“The Sunshine Coast somehow when the sun’s out it (the track surface) still seems on the Dead side,” Lyons commented.

“As soon as this rain hits it now I think anyone doing the form will want to be looking at the mud runners.”

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off