PATIENCE PAYS OFF AS TUFF TU MUS EXTENDS PICKET FENCE

A patient approach was rewarded with TUFF TU MUS after the talented four-year-old extended his picket fence to five straight wins at Doomben on Wednesday.

The progressive son of All Too Hard has now scored five wins and two placings from his seven careers starts but it has not all been smooth sailing with the gelding.

After getting far too worked up prior to his last start win at Saturday Metropolitan level in late April, trainer David Vandyke elected to take the gelding to the races with other engaged runners in recent weeks purely as an educational tool.

The proof was in the pudding at Doomben as the horse’s pre-race manners improved out of sight before going on to score another stylish victory.

“Full credit to the staff and the owner, everyone has been patient,” said Vandyke.

“He’s been to the races a few times since his last start as I just wasn’t happy with him there.

“So he got here today and didn’t know that he was going to run. He saddled up well and was so much better in the yard and was in a great headspace.

“Ryan (Maloney) had him in the gun spot and he put pay to them pretty quickly and it was just lovely to see.

“I know it’s a Midweek but it was a Benchmark 85 and there was some handy horses in it so he’s on the way up.”

Jockey Ryan Maloney was aboard the All Too Hard gelding  or the first time and was impressed by what he felt underneath him.

“You don’t win five on the trot without being above average,” said Maloney

“He’s very push-button. He jumps well, puts himself in the spot, switches off nicely and has a nice turn of foot to boot.

“It felt like a matter of how far and that’s exactly how it worked out.”

Congratulations to owner Mr J Fordham

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