By Chris Roots
Deploy was one of those horses that teased with his ability, but this preparation he has turned into a winner. He will look to continue his rise through the grades at Randwick on Saturday.
Carrying the white-and-red-heart silks of Torryburn Stud, Deploy has returned from having bone chips removed from his front fetlocks and being gelded with a couple of wins at Canterbury.
On the rise: James Innes jnr drives Deploy away for another win at Canterbury.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
It has connections smiling.
"He is a lovely horse but always found one better, but he is winning now and he could get to the level we thought he was at," Torryburn's John Cornish said. "His record could be so much better.
"But you race to win and to see him back, winning, has been great and I think we are going to enjoy the next couple of years with him."
It is the time of year that horses can rise through grades, as can riders, and James Innes jnr is starting to make a name for himself as one of the more promising apprentices. He, like Deploy, has taken his time to hit his straps but is making the most of opportunities.
Deploy took five starts to break his maiden at Wyong when the blinkers went on but in that time recorded seconds behind Sooboog, Le Romain, on this day last year, and Southern Legend.
"He was just running into really good horses. We knew the talent was there," trainer Gerald Ryan said. "We put the blinkers on and he bolted in at Wyong then he was unlucky at his next run and we found the bone chips.
"He had a long time out and was gelded. He was a big heavy horse and that should help him and he has come out and gone bang, bang."
Deploy was a well-supported favourite when he scored midweek at Canterbury in December and then stepped to Saturday grade on New Year's Eve beating a similar field to Saturday after a perfect ride from Innes, who maintains the mount on Saturday.
"He only goes up a kilo from that win, this might be a little stronger race but he is in good form and keeps improving," Ryan said. "He was one of those horses that always had it and it was a matter of letting him mature.
"He is there now and it is a good time of the year for him to come through the grades."
While Deploy has struck form, so has his rider Innes, who six months ago was given an ultimatum by Ryan after a series of run-ins with stewards.
"He had got in trouble for his whip use. He went away overseas for 10 days after getting a suspension and I just said to him to have a good think about what you want to do," Ryan said.
"He came back from that and has just been so determined. He has stayed out of the stewards' room and he is riding better and better.
"He is confident and making good decisions on the track. He could always ride it was just getting his confidence.
"He rode this bloke really well to win at Canterbury and we are sticking with him."
Innes rode half a dozen winners in November and December and was trusted with highly regarded juvenile Menari in his win last week, and Ryan wants to see him continue on his winning way.
"He is staying out of trouble and it has cleared his mind and allowed him to show his talent," Ryan said. "When you give him a challenge like last week [with Menari] he is up to it and he is probably a rider to watch this year."
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