FLEM SEPT 04 - LARGO LAD BACK IN WINNERS’ STALL

By Taron Clarke | Sunday, September 5, 2010

Flemington, September 4, 2010.
Track - Slow 7. Rail - True. Penetrometer 5.02.
Open Handicap 4YO and Up - 1400m.
Time: 1-27.34. 600m Sectional: 36.64. (Carrying 59.5kg).
1 Largo Lad; 2 Jungle Ruler; 3 Linton.
Margins: 0.2L x 0.8L.

Enigmatic galloper Largo lad struck a surprise blow to punters by winning first-up at Flemington Saturday.

The son of Encosta De Lago, who is renowned for his enormous frame, came with a long sustained run from the tail of the field to grab victory in the final stride of the 1400 metre event.

In his first victory since the Blamey Stakes back in March 2009, the big rangy gelding jumped away poorly from his wide barrier and heavyweight jockey Steven Arnold had no hesitation in sending the David Hayes trained galloper back to last place as the field gathered their positions.

A clear last some fifteen lengths from the leader, Arnold was content to bide his time at the rear of the field and approaching the home turn allowed the giant galloper the opportunity to tack on to the back of the favourite Linton for the run to the judge.

Largo Lad balanced up the widest runner in the straight and was still spotting the leader Jungle Ruler some twelve lengths start.

The six-year-old managed to race up and join the favourite Linton at the 250 metre mark and these two came with giant strides after the leader Jungle Ruler.

Arnold was yielding the whip in the left hand and the enormous Hayes trained galloper appeared to taking bounds twice as big as Linton as they raced inside the 100 metre mark.

The ever consistent Jungle Ruler had lead everywhere but the last stride when he was nabbed by giant galloper Largo Lad in the shadows of the post as the latter arrived to score a last to first victory.

Favourite Linton, who tired ever so slightly on his run, did well to battle on and hold third position.

But the talk of the town was the herculean performance by Largo Lad in his first racetrack appearance since a Perth campaign on New Year’s Day. Largo Lad will now press on to some of the feature handicap staying events including the Caulfield Cup in which he has been allotted 51kg.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer David Hayes: “It’s fantastic. I thought he might have been a little bit underdone in these heavy conditions. It was a really good effort and I think he is in for a great preparation.

“He has finally grown into his big body and he might even be in for a really good preparation.

“He has won a Blamey Stakes and he has popped up regularly, but he just had that boom on him for such a long time and he might fulfil that now.

“Niconero banged around the place for years and ended up winning five Group One’s as an eight year old. I don’t know if he will do that, but I think he will do very, very well and compete.

“He is down in the weights and he will be really well placed in the good races.

“We’ve set him for the Caulfield Cup and we will build up. He’s just got to get into the race I suppose, that’s the hard thing. But if his form stays this way, he will blast his way in.”

Jockey Steven Arnold: “From the gate it was going to work out ideal. I thought I’d get on Linton’s back and follow him into the race.

“He blended into good around the corner, but he had to sustain a long gallop to get the money. It was a good effort.

“I thought I sort of had him (Linton) beat around the corner, but when I peeled out, I had to sustain a pretty long run to pick up the leader.

“He is very comfortable for me because he is a big fellow. He obviously suits me, so I like riding him.

“They’re sort of cutting into it and it is pretty close to heavy.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Largo Lad): 15.00 out to 16.00 in to 13.00.
Favourite Linton 3.00 out to 3.50 into 3.20. Finished third.

Horse to Follow: Although a beaten favourite, Linton showed punters enough to stick with the Lloyd Williams owned galloper. Under pressure towards the rear of the field the son of Galileo didn’t shirk his task matching strides with the winner until the final 100 metres. The grey gelding will next step out in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield in a fortnight’s time, in what looks to be a mouth-watering clash with Caulfield Cup favourite Moudre.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Largo Lad was slow to begin.

Mr Baritone and Linton raced wide without cover.

Testa Jesta was unable to improve its position from the 800m when held up for clear running before getting to the outside in the early part of the straight.

After the running of the race the Club’s veterinary surgeon reported that Savquaw was lame in the near-hind leg.

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