Legendary Perth trainer Colin Webster has always lived for the big moments in racing, and he cannot wait to see Trix Of The Trade take on Godolphin star Cascadian in the Northerly Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old produced a marvellous finish inside the final furlong to win the Group 1 Railway Stakes over a mile last start on November 19, which is why he been given $13 winning odds across horse betting sites for Saturday.
Webster believes his stable standout is primed to challenge the might of Godolphin and its eight-year-old with almost $5.7 million to his name.
“It is (exciting). We’ve got the greatest respect for horses like Cascadian,” Webster told HorseBetting.com.au.
“And the two three-year-olds (Bustler for Neville Parnham and Amelia’s Jewel for Simon Miller) in the race are both promising horses.
“We know it won’t be an easy task, but we sent a horse in who’s at his peak so we just hope that he can get a clear run.”
More: Northerly Stakes preview & tips for December 3
It has been a sensational preparation for Trix Of The Trade so far, also winning a 72+ Handicap over 1400m on October 15 and finishing third in the Asian Beau Stakes two weeks later.
Webster said his gelding has also thrived in trackwork since his last-start victory by 1 ¾ lengths at Group 1 level.
“He looks great. We think he’s in the same condition that he went in for the Railway,” he said.
“So we’re very happy with him.
“Once he got clear he put paid to his opposition in two strides.
“That was the most impressive thing about it.”
In a super-consistent career which has so far seen him notch up nine wins from 14 starts, Trix Of The Trade’s 11th place in the WA Derby over 2400m on April 9 must seem like a long time ago now.
“His only poor run of his career was in the Derby,” Webster said.
“He just had enough and that was it. There was nothing wrong with him after the race.
“He’s a lot more mature now, there’s no doubt about that.
“And his three runs this time in have all been excellent.
“We were really happy the way he built up going into the Railway.
“His trackwork was good and everything about him was spot-on.”
As well as looking forward to the challenge of facing Cascadian, Webster is confident Trix Of The Trade – set to carry 58.5kg – will handle weight-for-age conditions over 1800m on Saturday.
“The 1800m won’t be a problem at all. The thing that we understand is he’s going from a Handicap race to weight-for-age,” he said.
“You’ve got to get to weight-for-age sooner rather than later.
“You wonder whether he’s able to do it, but we could not be any happier with him.”
Like Trix Of The Trade’s Railway Stakes victory, owners Bill and Pat Robinson will be in attendance on Saturday.
It gave Webster much joy having the couple – both in their 90s – trackside to witness his Group 1 triumph last start.
“They’ll make every effort to get there again,” Webster said.
“It was super (having them there last start). Most of their horses racing they’re unable to get there because of their condition.
“They’re both a bit frail. But it was great having them there for the Railway and it’ll be great having them there again for the Northerly.”
Much was made of Webster, 82 and widely known as the gentleman of WA Racing, finally bringing up his maiden Group 1 triumph after the Railway Stakes.
But the man who has conditioned horses since he was 21 back in 1961 was quick to point out he did, in fact, win at that level in 1980 before the status of the race was downgraded.
“It was actually my second Group 1 win. In the 1980s I won the WA Oaks with a filly called Queen Inca,” Webster said.
“In those days it was a Group 1 race. I won the Oaks again (in 2012) with a horse called Pop Culture.
“It’s been downgraded to a Group 2. So that was really my second Group 1.”
But Webster – a life member of the WA Racing Trainers Association and Australian Trainers Association – was unequivocal when asked if winning the 2022 Railway Stakes was a career highlight.
“Absolutely. Winning the Group 1 Railway was unbelievable,” he said.
Troy Turner – Webster’s former apprentice – was understandably emotional after saluting aboard Trix Of The Trade in the Railway Stakes.
The win was so special to him because of the respect he has for both Webster and his mount, who he has ridden in all 14 of his starts.
He will partner the middle-distance star again on Saturday, much to the delight of his former boss.
“The biggest thing about Troy is his loyalty. His family is part of our family,” Webster said.
“We’re pretty close, and Troy is not just a top-class jockey, but he’s a very, very loyal friend.”
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