Acrophobic chasing third straight win for McConachy

By Glenn Davis

Rockhampton trainer Jamie McConachy isn’t concerned about sending in-form sprinter Acrophobic to Mackay on Friday for his third start in as many weeks.

Acrophobic is in a purple patch of form this campaign after dominant wins at his past two starts on his home track at Callaghan Park.

The seven-year-old was a betting ring drifter when he won a 1400 metre Open Handicap at Rockhampton on January 23 before backing up a week later to win a Class 6 Plate at Callaghan Park.

McConachy has been training for many years and has a stable of 12 which keeps him active.

He has found the key to success with the son of Dissident who was a cheap buy for one of McConachy’s loyal owners. 

After starting off with Sydney trainer John O’Shea, Acrophobic was transferred to Cody Morgan and then to the former training partnership of Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted before McConachy took over just over 12 months ago.

In just a dozen starts for McConachy, Acrophobic has won five times which has taken his prizemoney tally to just shy of $200,000.

McConachy didn’t take long to find the key to Acrophobic by removing a tongue-tie and replacing blinkers with visors.

“I took the tongue-tie off because I couldn’t see why he had them on and I just put the visor on him instead of blinkers this preparation to switch him on,” McConachy said.

“Apart from that the only difference I’ve done is that I don’t work him too hard and I try to keep him as fresh as possible by taking him to the beach and swimming him.

“He used to race back in the pack with his previous trainers but I have him race forward as much as possible.”

McConachy is also unconcerned Acrophobic is dropping back in distance at Mackay.

“He’s back to 1300 metres but the wet track suits him,” McConachy said.

“He broke the track record when he won over 1400 metres two starts back then he backed up well a week later when he won over 1500 metres.”

Mackay is currently a Heavy 10 following the North Queensland downpour.

McConachy has no major plans for Acrophobic who is on the market for a suitable buyer.

“I don’t think he’s a winter carnival horse but he’s doing a great job so far,” McConachy said.

“He’s a seven-year-old now and I think his owner is keen to sell him.”