Strongbow Go Racing’s latest winner
Three-year-old Strongbow became Go Racing’s latest winner when successful at just his third start in the Dulux Construction Solutions Maiden Handicap (1800m), at Aquis Park Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding jumped well from barrier three and held a handy position on the fence. Jockey Brad Pengelly asked him to quicken from the 700m and pulled him four-wide around the bend where he got a good run to the line to win by one length.
“He jumped out well with a good enthusiasm,” Brad said. “Over the back I had to just keep bringing him back a little bit to get on the bit.
“He gets his head on the side a bit which is a true indication that he’s just taking a long time for the penny to drop and he’s not quite there yet.
“So, it’s promising to see him improve so much from his last start to today and he hit the line with a bit of merit so I think he’ll keep improving from now.”
Chris said that Strongbow doesn’t have natural speed over 1800m and will improve further as he goes up in distance with the Gr.1 Queensland Derby in May a future target.
Strongbow was purchased by Go Racing out of his breeders, Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s, Cambridge Stud draft at Karaka 2020 for $130,000.
Savvy buying also saw them pick up his half-brother by Almanzor for $70,000 at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.
The win capped off a great day for Strongbow’s sire Tarzino who was represented by his first stakes winner when Gypsy Goddess who remained unbeaten in four starts to win the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Meanwhile down in Sydney Strongbow’s stablemate Lord Ardmore continued to impress with a tough second placing in the Precise Air Handicap (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
Ridden positively by James McDonald, Lord Ardmore led from barrier two. He sprinted really well to the line but was just picked up by Huetor on the line with only a nose in it.
“It was a super run he toughed it out well, unfortunately we were beaten by a nice horse on the day but he’s going really well and racing very consistently and he’s just going to get better and better,” James said.
Chris reiterated James’s comments adding “Up until this race, none of the leaders had won and you needed cover as there is quite a stiff breeze out there, but he got left in front with a moderate tempo and was taken on with 800m to run.
“He sprinted really quick at the top of the straight which opened the gaps up a little for the winner who was getting a lovely run back in the field with cover, sheltered from the breeze and was just too strong for us late.
“He has certainly lost no admirers and was a good run.”
Lord Ardmore, who has won two and finished second twice in his last four starts is likely to have his next run in the Listed January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 8.
Click here for a replay of Strongbow’s win.
Click here for a replay of Lord Ardmore’s second.
Photo: Strongbow as a yearling, Cambridge Stud.