Yoho to defy breeding in 2000m race

Tough gelding Yoho is set to defy his breeding and win over 2000 metres at Doomben.

Yoho has won seven of his 29 starts but his longest success has been over 1690m.

The six-year-old is by a noted sire of sprinters, Sequalo, out of mare Kootenay who is by Canadian Silver who is best known for producing horses up to 1600m.

But trainer Kelso Wood has no doubt Yoho can be more than competitive against a field of handy stayers in Saturday’s Open Hcp (2000m).

“Sequalo was a terrific bread and butter sire. His horses are all tough and one thing about them they get better with age. They win a lot of races when they get older,” Wood said.

“It was a great shame when we lost Sequalo a few years back.”

Yoho was second at his most recent start behind the in-form Arki in an Open Hcp (2030m) at Doomben two weeks ago at his first attempt at the longer distance.

“It was a great run as they got home in 33.06 seconds for their final 600 metres.It would win most Doomben 10,000s running a final sectional like that,” Wood said.

“Yoho can settle and he will race on the pace which is a help.”

There is always a touch of sadness when Yoho races as he carries the colours of the Greg Grant Saddlery syndicate.

Greg Grant and his wife Patricia, who were popular figures in Brisbane racing, were killed in a car accident in India in 2013.

Their family has continued to race Yoho.

Wood is also busy preparing to go into a training partnership with his long-time stable foreperson Patricia Gesler.

“She has done her test and we are just in the process of putting together a business plan, Wood said.

“We should be ready to go in a few weeks,.”

The partnership should be up and running for the winter carnival with Wood hoping Snitzkraft can fly the flag.

“The plan is to give him four runs in the winter starting with the Dalrello Stakes at the end of April,” Wood said.

“I then plan to run him in the Champagne Classic, the Sires’ Produce and J J Atkins.”