Trainer Joshua Krispyn was beaming with pride after Asphalt defied challenging conditions to clinch victory at Pinjarra on Wednesday, showcasing grit and determination.
Carrying a hefty 60kg, Asphalt, under Brad Parnham, defied the burden of top weight to secure a winning hat trick in the Tabtouch Westspeed Platinum Handicap (1600m).
After hitting the front in the straight, Asphalt looked momentarily vulnerable, but responded bravely under pressure, digging deep to fend off Canny Jack and Master Tactician.
The weight of expectation was heavy with Asphalt sent out the raging $1.30 favourite, but the Maschino four-year-old lived up to the billing and gave punters plenty to cheer about.
Following a modest debut when ninth at Pinjarra last May, Asphalt has turned things around in style on rain affected tracks, stringing together a series of top performances in his maiden preparation.
Knocked back by several stables, Asphalt found his way to Krispyn almost by chance, a fortunate twist of fate that’s now paying handsome dividends with the gelding close to $100,000 in earnings.
Krispyn makes no secret of his admiration for Asphalt.
“That’s a huge effort,” Krispyn said.
“He’s carried 60kg, probably never got a breather sitting outside the leader.
“In this sort of ground (soft 7) you are going to get tired late and it’s hard to win three in a row.
“Credit to the horse, I reckon and the jockey."
Although super effective on wet ground, Krispyn is unsure whether to continue Asphalt’s campaign or ease off and give the promising galloper a well-earned break.
“He probably will go to the paddock,” Krispyn said.
“But you don’t make any decisions on race day
“I’ll see how he pulls up, I know he was paddling late, but you have to remember he sat outside the leader and did all the work
“Carrying 60kg was a big effort.”
Krispyn looked poised for a stable double when Sirota loomed large in the GWN7 Handicap (2025m), but he couldn’t quite finish it off and had to settle for third.
Julio Santarelli