Sunlight’s pace is no bolt from blue
HOSTWIN Sunlight’s trainer Helen Page wasn’t surprised when her charge bolted to a five-length lead early in the 1800m race of Thursday’s Gold Coast race meet.
But it definitely wasn’t part of her plan either.
“Our intentions were to have him about fourth in running, however this has been his habit of wanting to go,” the Gold Coast trainer said.
“I warned (jockey) Michael (Cahill) and he said he watched his replays and saw he was over-racing.
“It was in good hands. He managed to sort it all out for me.”
Sort it out he did. Hostwin Sunlight relaxed with 1000m to run, enough for the field to catch his tail, before dashing away again in the straight to win his maiden race.
It was the ninth run of Hostwin Sunlight’s career, one that began in Sydney and included a third-place finish at Doomben in Brisbane before arriving at Page’s stables at the end of 2019.
Page has been finding improvements in the three-year-old ever since, increasing the distance of his races as well as the quality of his racing.
Hostwin Sunlight finished fourth on debut for Page in December over 1300m, produced three place finishes after and secured a second last start before Thursday’s success.
The gelding, purchased for $50,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, now has $32,150 to his name.
Meanwhile, punters who backed a roughie scored big when $51 chance Mulholland Man won his maiden race for Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp.
It was also a successful day for trainer Kris Lees, who celebrated a win with Mawaany Machine in the Benchmark Handicap (2200m). Lees’ Gold Coast foreman Mel Eggleston praised hoop Andrew Mallyon for his ride on the seven-yearold.
“Kris said to make sure he is in his comfort zone, don’t bust him too much early,” Eggleston said.
“He did sprint home in 34 (seconds) something so he didn’t walk the last 600m so no wonder he took a bit of catching.
“Andrew rides all the horses in trackwork so he knows them all and it’s a big help race day, especially with these old fellas. You got to get on with them and do whatever makes them happy.”