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Queenslander gives Azzopardi Richmond Oaks hope

24 February 2021

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Race-11-How-Not-Too-DSC-8498-JPG.JPGBy Isaac Murphy

In what was an extraordinary year in the racing industry, Victorian trainer Anthony Azzopardi still shone bright, adding a Group 1 Temlee and Group 1 Australian Cup to the trophy case before the pandemic hit.

Looking to pick up where he left off, Azzopardi was quick to snap up Queensland up-and-comer How Not Too, formally trained and now owned by Warren Nicholls.

The bitch has done nothing but impress her new boss since heading south last year and is poised for a Richmond Oaks assault.

“I’ve got a big opinion of her, she can certainly gallop and has shown me plenty of ability since coming down,” Azzopardi said.

“We say it a lot in this sport but with a touch of luck she’d be winning just about every race I’ve had her in at Sandown and The Meadows.

“She showed second-up how good she was winning in 29.94 at The Meadows and since then has run into dogs like Ferando Bluey and Zack Monelli who are both lining up in Group 1s this weekend.

“You’ve just got to be patient, I know she’s capable of winning a big race it’s just a matter of time, it’s my job to find the right race and I think that’s the Richmond Oaks.”

With the heats this Friday, Azzopardi was quick to get her up there a week early for the ideal preparation.

“She’s been up there for over a week with a close friend of mine Darryl Thomas who said she’d trialled brilliantly and settled in as well as you could hope before I get up there for Friday’s heats,” he said.

“You never know until race day, but I think Richmond will suit her down to the ground; the big expansive track gives her time to find a spot early and she’ll relish the 535 metres.”

“I earmarked this race not long after she came to me late last year, she’s had the seven runs down here now and I’m really happy with her fitness and where she’s at, she looks ready for a Group race.”

Azzopardi was stoked to see How Not Too come up with the checks for Friday’s heat where she’ll have to fight off some handy locals.

“The thing that’s probably cost her a few races at the Meadows and Sandown is box draws and her box manners, she’s not the worst away but you’re not going to see her leading from the seven or eight,” he said.

“I was rapt when I saw her draw the two for the heats, she’s desperate for the rail and even though the one Surprise Baby will probably lead her she should get a lovely trail.

“It’s going to be a big challenge taking on the local dogs, but her trial time was right up to what they have produced and with the speed in Me Me Mia and, Sneaky Marquee drawn outside her she should avoid trouble.”

How Not Too

Azzopardi has big plans for the bitch going forward and is looking forward to reaping the rewards with plenty of miles in her legs.

“It’s a big transition coming down from sunny Queensland to the North Pole here in Victoria and she did take a while to settle in, but that’s something Warren and I talked about,” he said.

“We’re both invested in her long term and she’ll be fine when she comes back from New South Wales.

“We’re hoping she’s away from home for a little while longer, if she goes well in this series, we’d be mad not to push on to the Golden Easter Egg with her.

“If things don’t go her way, I’m still really excited to get her back down to Melbourne and up over the middle-distance, she absolutely powers to the line over the sprint and I think she’ll get the distance no problem.”

Usually a regular with his team at the Queensland Winter Carnival, Azzopardi is looking to atone for a year off and would love his Queenslander to lead the charge.

“If she’s sound I’d jump at the chance to bring her up to her original home in Queensland for the Winter Carnival, they’re races you want to be involved in every year as a trainer and unfortunately due to circumstances we couldn’t come last year,” he said.

“Whether she’s racing over the 500 or 600 I’m not sure, she’ll tell us that in the next few months, but It’d be great for Warren and the family to see her perform in their backyard.

“I’ll be coming up with a team of dogs regardless, races like the Flying Amy and Brisbane Cup are coveted commodities.”