Former Lloyd Williams horse Reticent proves a bargain for Wallington trainer

by: Ryan Reynolds Horse Racing

(Geelong Advertiser,October 28 2014)

WALLINGTON trainer Tony Parker has an appetite for a bargain.

So when he spotted a talented young stayer for a rock-bottom price at a Lloyd Williams’ dispersal sale, he pounced.

Parker scored promising stayer Reticent from the prolific Melbourne Cup owner for $8000.

Williams had paid $280,000 for him just a couple of years earlier at the New Zealand sales.

“Lloyd had never trialled it (before they sold him). Apparently they couldn’t get the weight off, he was always big and fat,” Parker said.

“Lloyd put 25 horses in the sales and I got some information about three of them that might be worth bidding on and when I went to the sales I really liked Reticent.

“It took us a while to get the weight off him but with some track work and beach work it has started to come right. Then when he started galloping, trialling, the weight started to go off him.”

Two starts in and Reticent has already returned money on his owners’ investment and looks likely to add to his prizemoney at Bendigo tomorrow.

The lightly-raced five-year-old is drawn perfectly in barrier four for $20,000 Andy’s Earthmovers BM64 Handicap (1600m) on Bendigo Cup Day.

“A lot of the fields at Bendigo have dropped away,” Parker said.

“He will have to go forward and hopefully he can sit second or third.”

Reticent made his debut at Geelong late in September and ran a respectable seventh in a hot form race.

He then went to Hamilton, did a little bit wrong, and managed to win on talent.

“He won strongly at Hamilton,” Parker said.

“His manners are getting better but he still has a few issues. But that will come from racing.

“At Hamilton there was no pace on early and he tried to toss his head around a bit. But in the straight he was pretty good, he didn’t run around or anything.”

Reticent was nominated for the grey’s race at Moonee Valley last Friday night, but Parker elected to look for an easier option after he drew a tricky barrier.

“When I accepted him there was only six horses that had accepted 10 minutes before it closed. But he drew barrier eight and he was carrying the same weight as horses that had won five races,” Parker said.

“It just wasn’t worth lining him up.”

Parker said Reticent had the ability to become one of the best horses in his stable.

“I have got a big opinion of him. He has got a big future down the track, probably at 2400m,” he said.

“From other horses I’ve had I think he would be Group 3 (grade). But everything has got to go right, you have to get them through he grades.”

The owners in the well-bred Kiwi are having a blast. A 10 per cent share cost them just $800 each.

Parker said being astute with purchases would always come out ahead of spending big money at the sales.

“That’s it, (we are in a no-lose situation),” Parker said.

“You have got to get the right horses for your clients. If they can win some money then they are more likely to get into some more horses.

“The $8000 we paid included everything like GST, transport ... everything.

“The owners already have some money back and it’s only been two starts.”

Reticent will also come up against stablemate Seul Spirit in the race.

While the five-year-old may not have the same natural talent as Reticent, he makes up for that in race experience.

Parker said it was hard to split the two.

“Seul Spirit is really thriving with the experience he has now, while Reticent has the ability. There really isn’t a lot between the two,” Parker said.

Parker said Seul Spirit was going to need his share of luck from barrier 10.

“He’s been flying in track work and I am expecting a huge run from him even though he has drawn the outside barrier,” he said.

“Hopefully he can drop back and doesn’t have to lead. I’d love him to slot back.”