Trainer Liam Howley Defends Virtuous Circle’s Long Wait Between Wins
(Flemington) Trainer Liam Howley has spoken out against the criticism surrounding Virtuous Circle’s lengthy drought between wins, following the gelding’s triumphant return to the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday.
Virtuous Circle, a four-year-old racehorse, secured his first victory in over 650 days when he clinched the RDA Daylesford Lesley Hewitt Trophy (2000m) at the Flemington racecourse. The talented steed last tasted success back in August 2022, when he won a three-year-old 1500m race at Moonee Valley.
In the lead-up to his recent triumph, Virtuous Circle had produced some impressive performances, including a third-place finish in the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) and a runner-up effort in the prestigious Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m). However, his four-year-old campaign was primarily focused on the coveted Melbourne Cup (3200m), where he finished 18th.
“People are quick to forget in this game. He’s only had 16 or 17 starts, and I think we’re still scratching the surface with him,” Howley defended.
The trainer acknowledged that the decision to geld Virtuous Circle after the Melbourne Cup had a significant impact on the horse, but praised the team at home for their diligent work in nurturing the gelding back to winning form.
“Gelding him after the Melbourne Cup, certainly had an effect on him. We gave him time, and the team at home have done a super job with him,” Howley said.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the trainer has outlined a winter campaign for Virtuous Circle, which is likely to include the Group 2 Hotham Handicap (2500m) and the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m), both at Flemington. These races offer a ballot exemption for the coveted Melbourne Cup, a target Howley is keen to pursue.
“We know they run on confidence,” Howley said, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding Virtuous Circle’s self-belief. “We lowered the bar this preparation to give him some confidence, and he’s got a big tank on him, so we’ll keep him ticking along, tip toeing through the winter.”
With Virtuous Circle’s return to winning form and Howley’s unwavering support, the horse racing community will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the gelding’s progress as he aims to make a strong impact during the upcoming winter carnival.
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