John McArdle annoyed with the lack of trials approaching the spring carnival

Frustrated Mornington trainer John McArdle says poor programming has forced him to run two unbeaten fillies in an unsuitable race at The Valley.

McArdle’s promising duo La Rocque and Tycoon Humma have both won two races from as many starts.

But resuming on Saturday was not part of his spring plans for the pair.

Tycoon Humma and La Rocque drawing barriers 12 and 13 respectively added to his frustration.

“Basically I’ve got two undefeated fillies that will go to the races and be well in the market but they are not fit,” McArdle said.

TAB posted Tycoon Humma as a $4.60 equal favourite when markets opened for the Plant Powered Cleaning Handicap (1000m). La Rocque is a $5 chance.

McArdle has earmarked next month’s Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield for at least one of the duo.

Tycoon Humma and stablemate La Rocque are resuming earlier than trainer John McArdle would have wanted. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

However, a lack of trial or jumpout options compelled him to run the fillies at The Valley.

“I was never going to run them there but I’m going to have to because Racing Victoria decided there wasn’t going to be any trials this week,” McArdle said.

“Mornington are not having any trials at the moment for the next couple of weeks because the grass needs a rest or something.

“My only option to jump either of them out before the Quezette was to go to the Polytrack at Pakenham next Tuesday, which I didn’t want to do.

“Everything was up in the air so I thought, ‘screw it, I have to run at The Valley’.”

Champion trainer Peter Moody slammed the lack of city trials on social media on Tuesday night.

@RacingVictoria@FlemingtonVRC@TheValley@MelbRacingClub might be time to provide some spring prep trials for carnival horses like Sydney. Group horses course proper https://t.co/COzzOn6Wyh don’t see Very Elegant trialing at shitters ditch. Our trial schedule 👎

McArdle agreed with Moody’s comments, adding RV refusing to schedule trials during its race-free week added to the problem.

“It’s horrendous. It’s terrible,” McArdle said.

“I think the week off is pointless anyway. Name one trainer that has had the week off. We’ve all had horses to work.

“If you’re going to have it, why have it the week before the new season and just before carnival starts with those early three-year-old races.

“If you’re not going to have the races, fine. Don’t have them. But give us trials.”

Originally published asMcArdle slams lack of trials for unbeaten fillies

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