Trainer Stephen Gray considered himself a lucky man on Sunday afternoon as he led in his first winner since recovering from a serious stomach ailment a month ago.
The burly New Zealand man had to go under the knife at Gleneagles Hospital shortly after he was diagnosed with a hernia in his intestines. Despite such depressing news, it was business as usual for his wife Bridget and his team at the stables.
Thankfully, the major operation – which required his stomach to be “laid out on the table and reconstructed” – was a success. A few days later, the team could not have been greeted by a better tonic win with Indicio on November 13.
Gray left the hospital the same week and had been slowly getting back to his routine, but had been avoiding coming to the races until Sunday when he told himself he had to be there to see the very same horse race.
The Ishiguru three-year-old was going head to head with a bunch of promising sorts such as The Hustler, Tavan Bogd, Eatons Gold and Irish Coffee in the $65,000 Novice race over 1100m on Polytrack.
Despite travelling the widest, Indicio ($28), with Saimee Jumaat up, finished the best under heavy rain to score a gritty head win from a $232 roughie, newcomer Stub (Oscar Chavez) with Tavan Bogd (Declan McDonogh) third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 5.93secs.
Favourite ($9) The Hustler (John Powell) had every chance but probably felt the pinch from the early speed battle with Stub to run fourth another head away.
“I wasn’t going to come to the races that early as I only wanted to come to see Indicio run, but my son James cut his arm this morning and Bridget had to take him to the hospital,” said Gray.
“It was nothing serious, but I thought then I would come earlier and that’s how I saw the other races as well.
“It’s good to be back especially after what happened. It was my fault as I should have had my stomach checked earlier after my first operation a few years ago.
“The doctors have done a great job and luckily I got through, but full credit must also go to Bridget and my team who have kept the stable going when I was away.”
Gray said Indicio is a horse who is destined to greater heights, especially as he was originally bought with the Karaka Million in mind.
“He’s a full brother to a very good sprinter back in New Zealand called Geeza. Masa (Otani of Big Valley Stable) was given 10 horses to choose from and he went for this one.
“Initially, he was bought for the Karaka Million, but he got shinny and we brought him here instead.
“He should have won at debut as well when Saimee rode him, and I think he hit the front too early. He was gazing around.
“Vlad (Duric) then rode him at his second start and he won. I told Saimee he would still get the ride back after Vlad leaves.”
The start of the race had Gray wondering what the nine-time champion jockey was doing when the good beginner was seen dropping back in midfield before being caught five wide for most of the way.
“I was wondering what he (Saimee) was doing. They jumped very well but he started to throw his head up and got back further than I wanted,” he said.
“I have to say he did a good job to win from where he was, especially as most horses have not been winning from there lately.
“He won like a good thing. He’s a really lovely horse and should get the 1400m without any problem.”
Gray said that he was glad 2011, a year which had not brought much joy from both a professional and personal viewpoint, was drawing to an end.
“I lost a lot of good horses during the year, and many were worn out and had to be replaced. The new ones need time to mature,” said Gray.
“So, I always knew it would be a tough year. Next year will be a much better year.”
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