Gelding bags season’s first
WELL BRED gelding Le Cadeau defied a betting drift to win the first two-year-old race of the season in Launceston last night.
Le Cadeau came off a reasonable trial that encouraged bookmakers to open hi at $8 but he was almost friendless in the betting and started at $21, despite having reigning premier jockey Craig Newitt aboard.
The gelding by Statue of Liberty from the Ladoni mare Isn’t Life Strange travelled near the lead throughout but it wasn’t until the last 100 metres that he knuckled down to his task and forged clear close to home.
He hit the line a halflength clear of Entrapped ($4.20) with Reite Den Blitz ($11) a close-up third and just ahead of Gee Gee Josie ($3.80).
The big money came for Gee Gees Teardrop, backed in from $6 to start the $2.90 favourite, but he settled too far back and made up ground late to finish fifth.
Le Cadeau is trained by Leanne Gaffney, who didn’t attend the meeting and her son Clinton spoke on her behalf.
“We gave this one a trial here in Launceston three weeks ago and he did a good job to finish third behind Entrapped, but we didn’t want to push him right out,” Gaffney said. “He came on after that trial and tonight we were quietly confident he would run well and Craig (Newitt) was keen to ride him.”
Newitt said the gelding still has a lot to learn but he liked the way he hit the line.
“He is very green, and I think he almost held his breath for the whole 800 metres, but he was reasonably well balanced, and he stuck his head out when it counted.
“He will learn a lot from this run, and I’d say he has a future.”
The Graeme McCullochtrained Entrapped ran on gamely and should also benefit from the outing and Reite Den Blitz from the Scott Brinton stable circled the field to be the widest runner at the top of the home straight. Reite Den Blitz ran on resolutely, so she should head to the Alfa Bowl (1000m) provided she fully recovers from her debut effort.
SIDOROVA broke her maiden status courtesy of a brilliant ride from Anthony Darmanin in the 3YO Maiden (1200m).
Darmanin urged the filly forward from a wide gate to have her one-off with cover behind the leaders after travelling 200 metres.
The well-bred filly powered home to win from deadheaters Ascot Lad and Square Donut.