Mathrick's Corniche eyes VOBIS Gold Sprint at Caulfield
Shawn Mathrick, trainer from Cranbourne, has a history of triumphing with Godolphin rejects.
Corniche, the latest recruit to Mathrick's team, will contest his second race for the handler in Saturday's VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) held at Caulfield.
The gelding completed 14 starts for Godolphin, notching two successes with James Cummings and Ciaron Maher, prior to his second-place effort in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) back on February 27 at Cranbourne.
It was Corniche's debut run since September of the previous year, leaving Mathrick content despite apprehensions when the horse initially joined his establishment.
"I was worried we he first came, and thought 'I've done my brass here', but it's taken a bit of work and he's thriving at the beach," Mathrick said.
"He's got some knee issues. His action was terrible when he came to me and we've been doing a lot of beach work with him.
He galloped on Monday, and he worked the place down."
A variety of past Godolphin horses have passed through Mathrick's stable, including cherished Adirondack and Gig, the latter a broodmare he has utilized for breeding.
"They pretty much tell what it is with their horses is," Mathrick said of Godolphin.
"They're pretty honest about it.
My old man used to say they don't lose their ability, so there must be something going on and this horse got beaten a length-and-a-half by Joliestar one day and got flattened twice in the straight and then powered home.
He's definitely got the ability and softer tracks, with his knees, would be better for him, but I'll let him go around on Saturday and then see if we have to back off."
In his initial career phase, Corniche earned placings in both the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude, claimed the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes, and then the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.
The Sunshine Coast Guineas success was recorded in May 2024, after which Corniche has raced infrequently.
"I've been picking my mark when I gallop him," Mathrick said.
"I'll only gallop him on the grass and when we've had a bit of rain, but his action was faultless on Monday.
The Goodwood in Adelaide, it might be a good race for him, so we'll see how he is."
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