Bratzi blazes to gutsy win
TRAINER John Blacker has predicted a bright future for lightly raced four-year-old Luca Bratzi following the gelding’s breathtaking win in a class one handicap over 1200m in Launceston last night.
Luca Bratzi was backed in to start the $2.25 favourite at what was his first start from a spell, but 200 metres from home he looked unlikely to run a place.
Rider Craig Newitt had to ease him out to near last after missing the start slightly, while outsider Knitting ($17) set a solid pace in front and kicked three lengths clear at the top of the home straight.
Luca Bratzi was still eight lengths astern and with no clear run in sight.
But somehow Newitt was able to chart a course through tiring horses and in the last 50 metres he seemed to sprout wings to grab victory in the shadows of the post.
The gelded son of Turffontein scored by a long neck from Knitting with Skidman about a half-length away third.
Blacker was excited about the win.
But he admitted that he wasn’t too confident in the run.
“Craig [Newitt] has got the job done,” Blacker said.
“But he’s given us heart attacks in the process.
“He is way better than a class one horse so we were very confident he would win tonight.
“We will with him.
“And if I’m right, he’ll be winning a very good race some time in the future.” take our time TRAINER Mark Ganderton celebrated his first win back from an enforced lay-off when his exciting filly Sirene Stryker ($2.40 fav) scored an impressive win on debut in a 3YO maiden over 1100m at Launceston last night.
Sirene Stryker showed good early speed to race outside of the leader Tough Boy ($3) and they cleared out from the rest of the field.
And when rider Dan Ganderton called on Sirene Stryker for the big effort she dug deep and went on to win comfortably.
It was an emotional trainer who dedicated the win to one of his best friends who is not in the best of health.
“I’m rapt this filly won, and I’m pleased for all the owners and there’s a lot in the syndicate,” Ganderton said. “But I really want to send a message to my friend Glenn Massey who isn’t in the best of health and is fighting a battle.”