Slipper favourite bright, relaxed

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 44

Slipper favourite bright, relaxed

NZPA-AAP Sydney ' The veteran trainer,' Angus Armanasco, had a pronounced limp while supervising Golden Slipper favourite Zeditave at yes( terday morning’s “Break-j fast with the Stars” trackwork session at Rosehill 11 Armanasco ■ admits to )being “around 80”: years of age but, as he quietly ■moved from ' one J inter--; sview to another ) after ! {watching Zeditave trot for ,15 minutes, 'he seemed 'barely hindered by ttm ; nasty kick he received ' from the star two-year-old yesterday. t And like his mentor, ttie son of The Judge which : earned favouritism for 'Saturday’s sAustLs [million Slipper with a coni vincing win over top Sydi ney colt Star Watch! in last ) week-end’s Pago Pago Stakes, looked bright and totally relaxed. | )| Rosehill I trackrider, Claudio Greco, also came in for plenty' of attention as he dismounted after exercising the-colt! || ' Greco, wrio gave up race-riding in 1980 be-i cause of j increasing weight, has' formed )a strong bond with the unbeaten {two-year-oild after his help was enlisted by Zeditave’s regular rider, Greg Hall. ; il “He’s a bit of a problem to ride sd they wanted someone that was strong and had good hands,” said Greco. j “Zeditave is a cheeky sort of horse which likes to play and !he can do' a few things wrong with you but -he’s an absolutely unbelievable galloper. )' ■ “Once he Igets onto the ' grass to work he; is just ; incredible — you don’t I have to move, he just lp ( bs . under you and when you ) want him to! do something ! he just kicks. He’s more I like a three-year-old.” H , Greco, who has been associated with some -fop. gallopers i including Scomeld, Sound ! Horizon and Pre Catalan since Ibe-! coming a fulltime track-: work rider- echoed |Armanasco’s thoughts when; discussing ' Zeditave’s! major asset — his accel-| eration. - I | ! Armanasco knows Ithel amount of talent a horse, needs to yrin a Golden ■ Slipper, haying prepared) 1981 winner Full On Aces : and True Version, an!un-' lucky third) behind Rory’s Jester in 1985. ) '|| “Zeditave’s trademark is acceleration. I can’t) Say that I ever had | a httrse with more than this bloke,” he Isaid. ■' )' 1 Despite ) his) high: opinion, Armanasco, knows his colt will need a) little luck in running after: getting barrier Nd. 18 at yesterday’s official diJaw.) His arch-rival, |Star Watch, fared only margin-: ally better: and will start) from gate 117. ] i i i - “You couldn’t say I that Star Watch has no hope of : turning the tables. A loti' can happen in a Slipper,”): he said. | 'll! “The dtaw has made the race more interesting — it’s no) longer al two horserace.” i h ■!)