Front Page demolishes rivals to go back-to-back in The Kosciuszko
Tyler Schiller celebrates Front Page's victory in The Kosciusko.
Front Page was so brilliant jockey Tyler Schiller could afford to start the celebrations early.
High in the irons with his whip pointed to the sky 25m from home, Schiller knew the job was already done.
Front Page was just about to become the first horse to win the $2m Kosciuszko (1200m) back-to-back and did so with the most convincing victory in the race's six-year history.
In truth it was a demolition job and a win truly for the bushies.
Schiller grew up near the central western town of Young and started his career in the Riverina before taking Sydney by storm while Front Page is owned by country connections that include the family of former Corowa trainer Geoff Duryea.
Duryea made the decision to transfer Front Page to Matthew Dale before this preparation after his retirement but was on track to watch his former stable star capture the biggest event in NSW country racing again.
"I was more nervous today than I was last year, I was hoping Matt just didn't stuff it up," Duryea quipped.FRONT PAGE GOES BACK-TO-BACK IN THE KOSCIUSZKO! 📰@G1TySchilpic.twitter.com/fGGKUyJPiq
- 7HorseRacing ðŸÂÂŽ (@7horseracing) October 14, 2023
A date with the Kosciuszko has long been the plan for Front Page since arriving in Dale's yard in July.
The Goulburn conditioner has continued to remain in contact with the talented gelding's former trainer as he plotted a first-up assault of the lucrative country feature.
"Geoff (Duryea - previous trainer) and the team, what they've done with this horse before getting him to me, I'm in awe," Dale said.
"They told me every little thing I needed to know so that I could be well prepped and have him as good as I could here today.
"It's been a little bit stressful, the last few weeks, but wow what a win."
Front Page ($5.50) had to do work early to get to the front but was able to control proceedings when once Schiller, who started his day with a commanding victory on Land Legend in the St Leger Stakes, got the tip of the field.
The son of Magnus kicked a couple of lengths clear at the top of the straight and kept his rivals at bay to score by 1¾ lengths from the Luke Pepper-trained Opal Ridge ($2.80 fav).
David McColm's Far Too Easy ($7.50) surged home for third.
"Gee he's a terrific animal," Schiller, who piloted Front Page to victory last year, said
"He got control of the race very easy this year.
"I thought he quickened well from the top of the straight and then he just kept building, he felt like he never stopped.
"Last year he felt like he was a little bit reluctant to go and there were a few chasing but not this year he put them away very easy."
It was a first Kosciuszko victory for Dale, who made the move from Canberra to Goulburn to continue his training career last December.
"This is our pinnacle, this is our grand final," he said.
"It is such a build up and a lot of grand finals in racing just lob on your doorstep two weeks out but this is a year out and certainly three months out when the tickets go on sale.
"The slot holders are vetting the horses and there's a lot more poking and prodding and hoops you have to jump through so it's very much a grand final."
When quizzed if Front Page would be set for a Kosciuszko hat-trick next year, Dale declared 'he will be'.
The beaten brigade never got near Front Page but performed admirably.
Opal Ridge's jockey James McDonald thought the classy mare had run an big race in defeat.
"She was brave in defeat, it was hard to reel in the leader," he said.
James Orman, the rider of Far Too Easy, thought the gelding had run 'enormous' while admitting the firm track may not have been to his liking.
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