McGrath's Rock-solid record

*Article by Michael Manley for racing.com

Brian McGrath admits he knew nothing of the film Picnic at Hanging Rock when he moved to Australia from England — but he’s certainly building his own folklore at the famous country racetrack.

The Pakenham-based trainer has produced one of the most remarkable records anywhere in Victoria, saddling seven runners for five wins, a second and a third at Hanging Rock — a 71% strike-rate and a staggering 160% return on turnover.

“When Spirit Angel won on New Year’s Day, Matt Hill said, ‘The McGrath horses love it at the Rock’,” McGrath recalled with a laugh.

Spirit Angel winning at Hanging Rock - Image Courtesy of Racing Photos

McGrath returns to the iconic track on Monday with three runners — Born Survivor, Trinity’s D’Oro and Shanghai Venture — all capable of enhancing his remarkable record.

“I didn’t know anything about Picnic at Hanging Rock. What I did know was there was some mystique about having runners there,” McGrath said.

“Dad (Jim McGrath) said when I started training that it’s a long way back from some of the country venues, but Hanging Rock was different — he wanted me to have a winner there.

“We had a winner with our first runner, Larrikin, and we’ve kept going back.”

McGrath also praised the venue’s charm.

“It’s such a beautiful racetrack. When I started at Cranbourne, one of the trainers told me to go there because the parade ring is in front of the crowd. I thought, ‘I need to check this out’.

“Some of my owners really want a winner there too — Jack and Terry Forrest are from the area and grew up going every year.”

MONDAY'S RUNNERS

Born Survivor (Race 2 No.1)

“It was a very good run. The winner came up the inside at Cranbourne and he ran very well. He should have a nice chance, but the McEvoy horse Bertrand looks to be the stumbling block. Our horse is in good order.”

Trinity’s D’Oro (Race 3 No.8)

“She’s going really well. She won well at Hanging Rock over a mile and she likes the track. At Yarra Valley there was a slight drop in distance and we might have run into a good horse. She’s another nice chance.”

Shanghai Venture (Race 5 No.11, 1st emergency)

“She won at Colac two starts ago. We had to scratch her from Hanging Rock due to a little foot abscess and then took her to Yarra Valley with a gap between runs. She is better with her races closer together. She’s drawn well and, if she gains a start, she should have a nice chance.”

Ellmaknifico (R7 No.13, 3rd emergency)

Not likely to get a run.

SUMMER STABLE FORM

McGrath has enjoyed a strong summer, producing 25 runners for seven wins, six seconds and a third.

“It’s been great and we’ve got some nice horses coming through and some unraced ones as well,” he said.

“We had been quiet for a while. It’s just been a matter of the horses being ready at the same time to run well.”

He previously relied on talented sprinters D’Jumbuck and Pink Beau Ty, who both sadly succumbed to illness, but now has a new wave emerging.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Rodriquez: “He will go out and come back for the winter off-season. He was really good at Sandown and he gave 5.5 kilos to the winner. As he showed at his previous two starts, he’s a good wet-tracker.”

Hotspur Reale: “Hotspur Reale was showing something as a two-year-old but his mind wasn’t on the job when he was a colt, so he was gelded. He won well at Wangaratta and then I was impressed with his unlucky second at Cranbourne, especially the way he picked himself back up after suffering severe interference to just lose.”

Lightwatch: “D’Jumbuck’s half-brother and we were really pleased with his debut. He looks like a nice horse. He’s in at Sandown on Wednesday and a Future Stars Maiden at Pakenham on Thursday.”