STEP UP IN DISTANCE DOES THE TRICK FOR HE'S A SAINT

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, February 19, 2025

He’s A Saint got his name on the scoreboard, claiming his first win in his fourth career start when saluting in a Maiden Handicap over 1700m at Ipswich on February 19.

The three-year-old son of Tarzino had finished in second place on his debut and then followed that up with a third place finish in his next start.

Those runs were over 1300m and 1350m. The 1350m was again in play in He’s A Saint’s third start, where he ran below his level of promise, never getting into the race and finishing unplaced.

With extra fitness now on his side a step up in distance was the logical choice and the Tony and Maddysen Sears training partnership elected to push that test up to the 1700m trip for this Ipswich assignment … a move that was to allow He’s a Saint the chance to thrive.

With Jaden Lloyd in the saddle for the first time, He’s A Saint, who was sent out at still highly backable odds of $6.50, having shortened in from $8.50, was taken back at the start from his wide, number eleven barrier draw, with Lloyd content to sit in last place some seven lengths off the lead as the field went down the back stretch.

It was only in the middle of the sweep to the home turn that Lloyd started pushing He’s A Saint forward and, in order to make up ground, he was obliged to do so wide out on the track, ultimately cornering all of seven wide on the home turn but, significantly, now only three lengths off the lead.

Having seemingly had to use up a fair amount of energy to get into that position, the question now focused on what He’s a Saint had to offer in the home straight.
He had plenty.

By the 150m mark he had moved up right alongside the then leader, the $2.50 favourite Possibilities, and these two runners matched strides briefly before He’s A Saint pushed past his only remaining rival and moved away to secure the win by a widening 2.44 length margin.

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