By Glenn Davis
Trainer Nick Walsh has sounded an ominous warning to rivals of Age Of Innocence ahead of the former Victorian’s bid to maintain her unbeaten Queensland record in the Class 4 Handicap at Rockhampton on Tuesday.
Age Of Innocence has won her only three starts since owner Clarry Hermann paid $22,000 for the four-year-old, who was previously by Lloyd Kennewell.
The daughter of Kiss And Make Up failed to win in seven starts for Kennewell but has thrived in the warmer Queensland climate.
She won her first start at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park in early April before winning twice in Mackay including her latest victory in a 1300 metre Class 3 on May 28.
“Clarry Hermann got her off Trojan Bloodstock and he’s only been with me for about 18 months and now had seven horses with me,” Walsh said.
Walsh said Age Of Innocence had blossomed since her winter spell and he expected she would again be hard to beat, despite having her first start in almost three months.
“She’s going really well and she’s come back as good as she went out for a break,” Walsh said.
“She had a soft trial recently and just got beaten when she ran second.
“The day she won her first start for me I thought she was a moral and she’s been an easy horse to train.
“She’s had two more starts since then at Mackay and I was always confident she’d win them both.”
Walsh is uncertain of Age Of Innocence’s program going forward but hasn’t ruled out a trip to Brisbane if she continues her winning momentum.
“I’ll plot a path after we see how she goes on Tuesday,” Walsh said.
“She’s not an overly big mare but there might be a race for her in Brisbane.”
While Walsh is confident Age Of Innocence - who will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins (pictured) - can win again, he doesn’t rate her as the stable’s best chance on Tuesday.
“I’ve got three in at Rockhampton and Just Super is my best chance,” he said.
Just Super tackles the Class 1 Handicap over 1100 metres and is coming off an easy maiden win over 1050 metres at Mackay on August 9.
“I bought Just Super for $25,000 at the Capricorn Yearling Sales and he’s really promising and will probably end up racing in Brisbane,” Walsh said.
“When he won first up at Mackay he missed the kick and had to weave his way through the field and won easily.
“He carried 59kgs that day and drops to 55kgs in this race.”
Walsh has been training for about two years and combines training with a full-time job as a salesman for Greensteel - a steel distribution company in Rockhampton.
