Blade embraces Clifford Park
RACING: Clifford Park is fast becoming Wudang Blade’s home away from home.
Under the care of Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson, the six-year-old made it two wins from as many starts over the range after a dominant success in the Remembering Pat O’Shea Benchmark 75 Handicap (1050m) on Saturday night.
Getting to the front with ease under apprentice Minonette Kennedy, Wudang Blade ($3.80) was never headed throughout the sprint trip, booting away in the home straight to score by 1 ¾ lengths.
“We were very happy with the win. He’s a good on-speed horse and has always been very genuine from day one,” Wilson said.
“Even after the claim he had to carry top weight, but Minonette rode him very well.
“He had the blinkers on for the first time, and she was able to find the lead comfortably on him and pinch an easy sectional, which paid dividends.
“I thought she pushed the button a bit early, but you don’t want to wait for them to catch up to you, and he was able to accelerate pretty strongly.”
In four starts this preparation, both wins have come at Toowoomba, with the gelding appreciating the drop in class from metro grade.
“He’s started at good odds on both occasions he’s won here. I thought he was entitled to be favourite both times,” he said.
“He’s stakes-placed at two and has raced well in good company. Not taking anything away from the competition, but they were two of the easier races he’s tackled in his career.
“He was cherry ripe for this.”
The Race Callers’ Relay Benchmark 58 Handicap (1850m), featuring Josh Fleming,
Brett Moody, Ben Hall and Anthony Collins behind the microphone, maintained tradition with another close finish.
Zamosa ($4.40) sustained a long run from the 600m mark, with the Mitchell Fry-trained galloper holding off a fast-finishing Perfect Page ($16) to fall in by a head.
Dotti Dear ($1.55 fav) made it back-to-back wins at Clifford Park with an explosive win in the Living Gems Class 1 Plate (1100m).
Heavily supported in the market, the Mark Currie mare justified the faith of punters, racing away late to score by 3 ¾ lengths.
It gives the six-year-old two wins from five career starts, after scoring by 6 ½ lengths here on August 15.
After dumping the rider in her return from a spell, Champagne Aunty ($1.90 fav) was again well found by punters in the Trackside Photography Maiden Handicap (1200m).
She showed an impressive turn of foot when asked by jockey Michael Murphy, clearing out late to score by 4 ½ lengths for trainer Steve Tregea.