Molongle Continues Path to Ultimate Carnival Test

Trainer Ben Williams is hoping the most patient of waiting games will pay off when his talented sprinter Molongle Surprise takes another step towards a possible Cleveland Bay Hcp start at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Molongle Surprise, now a six-year-old, will be having just his 14th race start in the Lone Wolf Security Open Hcp (1000m) in a career restricted by a recurring stifle injury.

But Williams says the gelding is now the soundest he’s ever been and it’s time to test him over longer trips in the upcoming Cluden carnival.

“He’s a smart horse Surprise and while there’s a few unknowns I’m starting to get more confident now that he’s remaining sounder – touch wood - that he’s ready to go to the next distance level,” Williams said.

“What I want to do after this run, is start mapping out a plan - that’s not just about the Lightning - I’d love to start him in the Cleveland Bay, that’s what I want to do.

“We ran third with a 120-1 shot Easy Weekend a few years back and this bloke’s as good as him. I still can’t watch the replay of that race he was that stiff.

“I’ll wait until after this start to know which way we’ll go with Surprise.

“The owners Mr and Mrs (Trevor and Gloria) Davies allow you to do the best by the horse and I can’t speak more highly of them.  Bringing him along slowly over these past few years is really coming into play for him now.

“A lot of his problems were around maturity as well his injury and we’ve given him a lot of time.

“There’s a little less maintenance at the moment but you always have to keep a close watch on him.

“I think he needs to step up in distance and, really, he’s six now  and it’s time to give him a go.”

Under Williams’ careful management Molongle Surprise has put together an impressive record, winning seven and placing in six of his 13 starts in a career interrupted by a stifle injury sustained when he was an unraced two-year-old.

The Bel Esprit gelding came closest to a feature carnival win when he was beaten a nose by Bakuhatsu in last year’s Lightning Handicap and a luckless third in the Cairns Lightning.

Williams believes Molongle Surprise showed he was on the right track for the carnival with a slashing second-up third to classy gallopers Smart Image and Yes Dream over 1000m at Cluden in May.

He expects tomorrow’s open to prove another strong test for the gelding with a line-up that includes top mare Ruby July, unbeaten in five Cluden starts over 1000m.

“This prep I’ve given him a gradual build-up to get him ready for a longer trip so he’s not yet 100 per cent. He sort of just peaked a bit on his run the other day. He’ll show that bit of improvement third up this week,” Williams said.

“The horse looks better and is coming right in the coat and I think you’ll see a very good run but it’ll want to be.

“He’s up where it hurts and to get his ratings up and be a live chance in the races ahead he can’t afford to do too much wrong.”

Meanwhile, promising filly Redavni, a favourite with punters, will chase her fourth Cluden win when she clashes yet again with arch rival Don’t Tell Leeanne and the fresh Fodor in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode QTIS 3YO Hcp (1200m).

The Open Hcp (1400m) will be another highlight on the bumper eight-event card which kicks off with the Trackside Photography Maiden Hcp (1400M) at 12.25pm.

Pictured: Tough sprinter Molongle Surprise claiming another Cluden victory last October with his regular jockey Graham Kliese aboard. The pair are set to play a leading hand again in tomorrow's Lone Wolf Security Open Hcp (1000m).

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.