Flying the Go Racing tri-colour across the Tasman
The distinctive Go Racing silks were flying high across the Tasman over the last week.
Smart French import Raqeeq notched up the third win of this campaign and the fifth of his Australian career at the Gold Coast, winning the benchmark 90 2400 metres by an increasing 2.3 lengths.
Racing Manager Matt Allnutt said it was a well-deserved victory from a consistent performer. “We had reservations about the distance and whether he had come to the end of his campaign, but trainer Chris Waller had him bang on for this race. It almost seems criminal racing for A$50,000 against just four other horses but this is a scenario that can often happen in staying races in Australia and we will quite happily take the money that’s on offer.”
“It was a super ride from Ryan Maloney and things panned out beautifully for him so in the concluding stages he was able to sit up on him and let him coast over the line. He was simply too good for the opposition and takes his earnings past the A$350,000 mark.”
Another consistent Go Racing performer, Fairy Me Home, also raced at the Gold Coast in a benchmark 72 Handicap over 1800 metres and took silver.
Matt was pleased, “Once again it was a good genuine effort from Fairy Me Home and he was just half a length off the winner and another beautiful piece of riding by Ryan Maloney. He gave him every chance getting him out and into clear running at the top of the straight. He chased hard and took some ground off the winner but could not peg this horse back on the day. He is ready to win and a good draw at his next start will see him hard to beat.”
It was a huge effort by original Go Racing French import and warrior Alward to finish fourth in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben.
“With a bit of luck on his side and some cover, he could have easily won the race. To finish only 1.6 lengths behind the winner of the race after being trapped wide in the open throughout the running shows what a gutsy effort it was. He was stepping up from 1400 metres the week before, so it was a big ask and he will improve for the run. His next start will be the A$125,000 Group 3 Premiers Cup on the 27th of June and the four weeks between runs will give him plenty of time to recover and prepare,” comments Matt.
Stardome rounded out the top four places for Go Racing runners with a third place last Wednesday at the Sunshine Coast in a benchmark 72 over 1600m beaten by one length.
“His finishing burst was electric and but for a missed start could well have been victorious. We see time and again that the progeny of Savabeel improve with age and it appears to be the case with Stardome. He looks like he is mature and ready to race over longer distances now and that is likely to happen quickly, with him nominated for a benchmark 70 2200 metres race worth A$65,000 this Saturday at Eagle Farm.”
“Having a good team of Go Racing horse’s racing in Australia and performing well over the lockdown period has given us something to look forward to each week and the prizemoney that they are racing for makes it a great option for our owners.”