Vic invader’s flying debut
FORMER Victorian galloper Life of Waldo made an impressive Tasmanian debut in Devonport yesterday when he fought back to outgun the favourite in a Class 2 handicap over 1350m.
Life of Waldo ($8 into $5.50) settled just off the speed set by Son of a Fling but the visitor had him in his sights on the home turn and, when jockey Stephanie Thornton called on the gelding for the big effort, he forged to the lead.
The easing favourite Somerset ($2.80 to $3.90) emerged from the pack and looked set to claim Life of Waldo but the invader was too strong and won by almost a length.
Life of Waldo is owned by Victorian trainer Glenn Thornton, his wife Wendy and a group of stable clients. Thornton made the trip to Tasmania to see the gelding’s first run in the state.
“Waldo is here because we felt he was at his limit in Melbourne but he might be a horse that would be suited to Tassie racing and, from what he showed today, I think we made the right decision,” Thornton said.
“He is a horse that can race on the speed and he’s tough and he showed both of those assets today. It was great that my daughter Stephanie was in the saddle today and she gave the horse a good report.
“We’ve made a decision to sort out some horses at home that can make their way to Tassie and that’s what we’ll be doing in the coming months.”
Magwitch was the other horse Thornton sent to Crook and Miller and he dead-heated for first with Robbo the Bold in a benchmark 64 handicap (1650m). Thornton said Miller and Crook stabled their good horses at his Geelong stables when they visited the state, so the professional relationship had grown from there. SPEEDONOVA made light work of her task to score another effortless win on the synthetic. With plans to aim her at the Devonport Cup, trainer Bill Ryan said the mare was now on target to step up to 1650m and her rider Craig Newitt said that won’t be an issue.
“When we reached the 400m mark, she seemed to be hard at it but then she slipped into another gear when we straightened and went to them easily, so I have no doubt she will handle going to a mile,” Newitt said.