Gelding’s lesson in galloping
TALENTED stayer Eastender ended his campaign with an effortless win in the St Leger over 2650m in Launceston last night.
The Barry Campbelltrained gelding won the St Leger last year as a three-yearold but this time around he gave his rivals a galloping lesson.
Eastender ($1.80) settled last in the field of eight with Craig Newitt aboard while Flash Missile ($21) set the speed with Volcan De Fuego ($9.50) outside the leader.
When Volcan De Fuego dropped off, rank outsider White Hawk ($51) made his move and loomed to win but then Newitt eased Eastender four-wide to challenge and he quickly put the result beyond doubt.
Eastender powered to the lead and hit the line without being fully extended to win by five lengths from Up Cups with Bidirectional making ground late to finish third.
“The horse will have a nice spell now, probably a couple of months, then I’ll bring him back into the stable for a few weeks in the colder weather then tip him out again,” Campbell said.
“I have no doubt he will be a much better horse next season because he’s gone into a Hobart Cup and Launceston Cup campaign having had a dozen starts so he is bound to be improved.
“We definitely haven’t seen the best of this horse.” LONGFORD trainer Bill Ryan was all smiles last night after his handy mare Stella Etoille scored an impressive win in an open fillies and mares’ handicap over 1620m.
Stella Etoille settled back in the small field of six and, turning for home, she was travelling easily but pocketed and in danger of not finding a clear pathway.
But jockey Anthony Darmanin was able to find clear racing room 200m out and she burst out of the pack to go on and score from race leader Secrets She Has with the favourite Step The Pedal third.
“I had a few problems with this mare earlier this season and that forced her to miss the feature mares’ races, but winning this is some consolation,” Ryan said. TRAINER John Blacker made a bold prediction after his talented sprinter Blaze Forth scored a game win in an open handicap over 1220m.
Blaze Forth produced his trademark power finish to score convincingly from Lord Farquaad and The Captain, with the top weight Chillout fourth.
“This horse will have one more start in Launceston in a fortnight and then I’ll tip him out for a spell and when he comes back I’ll target the Newmarket Handicap,” Blacker said. “He’ll get in on the minimum weight [54kg] and with his powerful finish it is a race that would suit him.”