Rasmussen Ready To Strike At Sandown

THE old saying "when one door closes another one opens" couldn't ring any truer for leading Adelaide trainer Tony Rasmussen who ventures to Sandown Park this Thursday night with exciting galloper Canya Chase.

Hugely impressive winning his first two Angle Park appearances in a slashing 29.63 and 29.64, the just turned two-year old son of My Bro Fabio and Beauty Bale makes his Sandown Park debut on Thursday night, drawn ideally in box one for the opening event on the program.

"I ducked over and gave him a box-to-box at Sandown last week so he's seen the track," explained Rasmussen.

"His first section was only fair but his back section was very quick – he should run a good race on Thursday and the red really suits him, he's an exciting pup."

With just four starts under his belt, Canya Chase has been much travelled to begin his career.

Following three NSW performance trials for Jodie Lord, Canya Chase debuted for Victorian trainer Rob Camilleri in a heat of the Vince Curry Maiden at Ipswich in February, finishing an herculean second, before running fifth in a semi-final.

WATCH: Canya Chase's debut Ipswich performance

"He's only got the two wins so I said to his owner Terry Solier I wanted to get to Sandown with him early so we don't miss out on our grades six and seven," added Rasmussen.

"I'm thankful to Terry for the opportunity to train the dog – it's funny how things turn out because I trained his mum Beauty Bale for Paul Wheeler before she was sold to Toby Weekes for breeding.

"Terry's great to deal with and hopefully it's the start of a successful partnership. He doesn't mind a bet and I'd be lucky to have one a month so we're a good combination. I've told him that my job is to win races with fit and healthy dogs for half the prizemoney, I'll leave the rest of it to him."

WATCH: Canya Chase's recent dazzling Angle Park maiden win

The excellent form of Canya Chase comes at an opportune time for Rasmussen, recently severing ties with owners Tim Aloisi and Matt Lehman, whom he shared a successful partnership with in recent years, winning a spate of feature races with the likes of Honcho Monelli, Shima Breeze and Shimando.

"Yes, it's been a pretty difficult time on the family to be honest, a lot of mud has been thrown around which has been quite hurtful," said Rasmussen.

"I'm a big believer in keeping things in private but when your name gets tarnished on social media and it upsets those around you it's time to look elsewhere, which we've done. Social media can be a great thing, but it can be evil as well.

"If I go into it all publicly I'm no better, so all I'll say is that hand on heart I've always done the right thing by my owners and the results we've had I think show that. We've basically won every feature race there is in Adelaide together over the past few years. I'm really disappointed with what's played out but I think its best I leave it at that."

While Canya Chase will go about his business in the opening event at Sandown Park on Thursday, Team Rasmussen will be out in force at Angle Park also, with Tony quite optimistic about a few of his charges.

"Come Home has drawn box two over the 600m and from the better draw he should be hard to beat – if he leads they won't catch him," added Rasmussen.

"Main Exit has run into a couple of smart ones so far trying to win her maiden and she looks nicely placed, while Diamond Heart is in at Sandown also and I think she can run a race – her form at home has been very good."

Tony and Lisa Rasmussen sit perched atop of the 2019 Angle Park Trainers Premiership with 33 and 23 wins respectively, enjoying another stellar year.

CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY NIGHT'S SANDOWN FORM  

CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY NIGHT'S ANGLE PARK FORM

PAWNOTE: Canya Chase's dam Beauty Bale whelped a litter of 12 to Mepunga Blazer at the weekend and as this photo shows, they are doing very well indeed!