Engine Room back on track

[Wandering Eyes]

An inglorious performance by Engine Room (NZ) (Super Seth) at Gosford’s stand-alone meeting left trainer Bryce Heys scratching his head but all the signs point to the gelding being on his best behaviour at Randwick this weekend.

The three-year-old son of Super Seth was sent out favourite for a 1600m race on May 10 following impressive back-to-back wins in midweek grade.

But after initially settling midfield, he began to hang out near the 1200m and gave jockey Alysha Collett a torrid ride from that point, including in the home straight when he was unable to be tested to the line and finished last.

“He obviously had to go back to the trials and he went straight back there three days later on a tight-turning track and was tractable enough, so no problems there,” Heys said.

“There was nothing wrong with the horse post-Gosford, hence why I went to the trials straight away, just to get him back on track and reset.

“He looks great and we’re happy to go again.”

Engine Room will line up in Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1500m) with a month between runs and Heys says the horse has responded well to the freshen-up.

Zac Lloyd partners him from barrier four and Heys is expecting the three-year-old to put his best foot forward.

“For whatever reason, he has appreciated the time given to him and he presents really well for Saturday,” he said.

“He has definitely got some progression about him. There’s no doubting he has still got a bit to learn but he’s a nice horse and given what we’ve been through, we just want to get him back on track.”

Engine Room was sourced by Heys at the 2023 Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sales from the draft of Elsdon Park, outlaying $150,000 for the son of Super Seth and the stakes performed Verglas mare Mary d’Or.

The winner of two of his five starts, Engine Room is a half-brother to South African Group Two winner Frosted Gold.

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