Harry Richardson finds his knight

By Glenn Davis

Veteran trainer Harry Richardson believes a rejuvenated Grinzinger Knight has benefited from a change in training and can bounce back to winning form at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Grinzinger Knight - an Emily Lang ride - steps out for his sixth start this campaign in the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1700 metres.

The six-year-old is coming off a close second when edged out by Hulkamani over 1540 metres on the Gold Coast Polytrack on April 19.

The son of I Am Invincible was placed in an 1820 metre Benchmark race at his previous start at Eagle Farm after winning a 1666 metre Benchmark race at Ipswich on March 1.

“The 1500 metres was too short for him at the Gold Coast last start when he led most of the way but he was coming again at the finish and would have won in another two or three bounds,” Richardson said.

“His previous run at Eagle Farm was very good so he should go very well although it’s getting harder with the winter carnival upon us as a lot of the Saturday horses are being pushed out to the midweeks.”

Richardson, who is in his early 70s, has been training at Toowoomba since 1982 and would love to see Grinzinger Knight win for his owner Frank Manwaring.

“I’ve known Frank for 50 years and trained for him for many years,” Richardson said.

“Frank is a retired grazier and I got to know him when I worked on cattle properties when I was up north for 12 years.

“I worked on cattle properties for years but I’ve always had a horse to train.”

Richardson has changed his training routine with Grinzinger Knight this campaign which is one of the reasons he’s missed a place only once in five starts this preparation.

“I don’t gallop him as much before a race anymore,” Richardson said.

“I used to give him 600 and 800 metre gallops during the week but now I just give him long pace work and shorter sprints.

“He’s as sound as a bell and he’s the kindest horse I’ve ever trained and I think it’s because he’s by I Am Invincible.

“I’ve got another I Am Invincible in the stable and he’s the same type of horse.”

Richardson also believes maturity as played a major part in his rejuvenation.

“He was always on the light side but he’s thickened and matured up a lot in the past six months,” Richardson said.