Spechenka pushes on for Ahrens

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One of Queensland’s best stayers Spechenka is on the comeback trail and has now had two runs back from about six months off. He ran in the 1600m event behind Willy Jimmy on Saturday, and as mad as some people may think I am, I really thought it was a solid effort and was full of merit.  He was beaten 6.5L but was a long way off them the whole race and tacked on at the end. On the back of that run I thought there was merit in contacting his young trainer Ben Ahrens to see what he made of the run and what his plans are now for Spechenka.

“It was pretty much a run he had to have before the Ipswich cup. We just had to find the most suitable race as possible leading up to the Ipswich cup. He has come through it alright and has taken enough benefit from it to go into the cup.” Ahrens told me.

Ben said the preparation has been a touch frustrating as the horse has had a few hold ups getting ready for this prep. No real injuries just enough to put the runs back a few weeks. He is confident that the horse has enough miles in his legs to run well and he also said the plan at this stage would be to get to the Sunshine Coast cup, but after that the plans are up in the air depending on how the horse performs etc. The QLD cup would be an option on the backup, but a let up and on towards the spring would be a possibility if Spechencka finds his form of last year.

In my opinion Ben has done a great job with this horse and has placed him well to date. It is still to be seen if the Ipswich cup has come around a run too early or not, but if he does run well you can be sure he will be a force at the Sunshine Coast. It is a real shame that the horse has had some injuries and setbacks as on his best form and what we have seen in the staying races over the carnival, he would have been highly competitive in all of those races. His 1.5 length win in the Summer cup at Randwick on boxing day was a race record and a super win showing what he is capable of.

Ben Ahrens is another one of Queensland’s up and coming trainers who has some great facilities and very good knowledge of the horse racing game. He is based out of Epsom Lodge at Beaudesert. I’m sure he will have horses available now or in the future if anyone is keen to get involved with his stable. You can let me know and I can get you in contact with him, or you can check out Ben’s website at:

http://www.benahrensracing.com.au/

**In other racing snippets the Royal Ascot carnival kicks off tonight with Star Witness to run. So You Think will go around the next day. And Saturday will see Star Witness and Hinchinbrook go head to head in the Golden Jubilee.

**Also tomorrow (Wednesday) we have one of the site’s BLACKBOOKER’S going around – SOLZHENITSYN in Race 6. He looks a good thing but will probably be too short.

Outside of him there is one other I think can run well and am keen to see:

Race 2 no.5 ST DARCI.- It’s a nice kiwi who was beaten 2.8L behind Free Wheeling.

Let’s hope the Aussie’s salute in the UK!