That ‘magnificent man’ and his ‘flying machine’!
Yes, Lara-based trainer David Geall’s “frightfully keen” Ferdinand Boy was once again “looping the loop and defying the ground”.
Last night, Ferdinand Boy ‘stole all the scenes’ in a record-breaking romp over 385 metres at Shepparton.
Ferdinand Boy clocked a fairly flying 21.31sec – slicing three-quarters of a length off the 21.35sec previous mark, set by Oriental Amber on April 19 this year.
The ‘dashing daredevil’ also established a 24.75sec track record over 450m claiming this year’s Group 2 Shepparton Cup on March 20.
One of the sport’s most exhilarating speedsters, Ferdinand Boy has won 23 races from 41 starts, including 10 of his past 15. He has also won the G2 Ballarat Cup, Shepparton Classic, Warrnambool Derby and inaugural The Horizon at Sale.
“There’s a real buzz around the kennel this morning,” Geall said. “He’s pulled up like he hasn’t had a run and is jumping out of his skin.”
Geall added he was confident his ‘Geelong flier’ could break the record.
“He’s an explosive dog and has that courageous will to win and get past dogs. But once Fernando Bluey led, I didn’t think he could run him down.
“I think Fernando Bluey (G1 Australian Cup runner-up) helped him break the mark. He made him chase his heart out and it set up a record time.”
WATCH: Flying machine Ferdinand Boy (5) defeats a gallant Fernando Bluey (3) and sets a new 385m track record of 21.31sec at Shepparton last night.
Ferdinand Boy has drawn comparisons with close relations, former G1 stars My Redeemer and Up Hill Jill – both also trained by Geall.
Geall has previously said “he’s the best I’ve trained up to 450m, but they (My Redeemer and Up Hill Jill) could step up on the big stage”.
Well, Ferdinand Boy commences his quantum leap when he hits the ‘big smoke’ for the first time at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
He’ll contest a Mixed 4/5 (515m) in preparation for the G1 Maturity Classic series at The Meadows later this month.
“It’s a red-hot race; it’s like a Group 1 or 2 final,” Geall said in reference to meeting young stars Aston Rupee (1st – G3 Speed Star), Shima Classic (3rd – G1 Harrison-Dawson) and Carry On Star (2nd – G1 Sapphire Crown).
“He can run out Sandown’s 515 metres and has trialled there in 29.53sec. But he packs everything into the first 450 metres, he’s too explosive.
“Consequently, he can get a little flat and drinks more water than we’d like. Then I have to manage him for five days or so.
“So, if he doesn’t pull up well, I’ll abandon Maturity plans. We’ll go to Temora instead in preparation for the Million Dollar Chase.”
