Bruce looking to future with Galifianakis

By Glenn Davis

Deagon trainer Jack Bruce will be looking to the future when handy six-year-old Galifianakis makes his return to racing at Doomben on Wednesday.

Galifianakis – a Jake Molloy mount - steps out for the first time since the end of September when he tackles the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1350 metres.

A former Sydneysider, Galifianakis, hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to the now retired Namakwa, who was trained by Robert Heathcote, when he won a 2218 metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on September 30.

Galifianakis has been lightly-raced throughout his career which started under 'Team Hawkes' in Sydney before making his race debut for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

The son of Dandy Man failed to win in seven starts for Waller before being sold to clients of Bruce who once worked as a foreman Sydney’s Bjorn Baker and Melbourne’s Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

However, Galifianakis has gone on to win five times since joining Bruce’s stables.

“This is just a starting point for him and he’ll need this run,” Bruce said.

“I don’t have any targets with him just yet as our aim is to win a Saturday race in town.”

Galifianakis has never won first-up but has placed twice in four attempts.

He likes Doomben after recording a win and two placings in four goes at the track.

“I bought him as a maiden and he’s now won five races,” Bruce said.

“He’s been a very good money spinner for us.

“He’ll go to 1400 metres next start then 1600, 1800 metres and 2000 metres and he won’t reach his peak until third run in.

“The 1350 metres will be too short for him but I’ve taken the blinkers off him as this is his starting point.”

Bruce accepted with seven runners for the Wednesday meeting.

They include Guru Class in the Maiden Plate over 1200 metres and Up The Country who is dual-accepted in the Maiden Plate and QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate.

Guru Class has started 13 times for seven placings and is coming off a last start fifth in a 1350 metre maiden at Ipswich. 

Up The Country was also formerly trained at Warwick Farm by Baker and makes her stable debut for the Deagon stable after finishing fourth at her only start in a Gosford maiden on November 23 before being moved on.

“Guru Class is going well and has won $70,000 in prize money but she’s yet to get her nose across the line,” Bruce said.

“Up The Country in a nice progressive type.”