Trainer’s Blonde ambition

WA owner-breeder John Molloy has repaid a favour to the O’Loughlin family by sending three-year-old galloper Blonde Warrior down to the Great Southern for the rest of the season.

Young Albany trainer Liam O’Loughlin will now train Blonde Warrior, formerly with Boyanup’s Michael Lane.

O’Loughlin’s father Shane told Molloy to send his star sprinter Watermans Bay to the east coast where he ended up winning the Group 3 Victoria Handicap and became a WA star, winning 11 races for more than $1million in prize money.

“John Molloy had Watermans Bay, Dad had a conversation with him and told him to send it to Melbourne,” O’Loughlin said.

“John never forgot Dad and said he couldn’t find a way of saying thanks, so he rang me and we agreed to a lease deal to send Blonde Warrior down to us.

“Hopefully we can get a few wins with her.

“I’ve had her for about 12 days by the time she races and I think she will go very close.

“She is a three-year-old filly going up against older horses but she will be accounted for.”

Blonde Warrior will start in Albany’s Anzac race meeting on Monday along with Shesapocket Rocket, who he has acquired from the Bruce Watkins yard in recent weeks.

“We bought her for $5000 off some family friends after the Broome season was cancelled,” he said.

“A few family and friends are in her so it’s a little bit of fun.

“She is a pocket rocket so I think she can go close as well.”

With the new RWWA restrictions on where horses can race, the Great Southern has still been able to attract strong numbers with 23 trainers nominating horses across the seven races.

O’Loughlin has sent his stable star Wild Fusion to close friend Luke Fernie, who will train him in Perth.

“He was going too well to keep going up and down the highway so I left him with Luke,” he said.

“He has been knocking on the door and I think he will go close to winning next start.”

Leading trainer Steve Wolfe has a big team of 17 horses engaged as he looks to add to an already prolific season in the Great Southern.