LANDSBOROUGH LAD - MAYBE ONLY A SECOND PLACE BUT A PRETTY SPECIAL RETURN TO ACTION

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, April 20, 2022

On April 20, at Ipswich in a Maiden Plate over 1200m, the four-year-old gelding Landsborough Lad had only his second career start … and claimed an eye-catching second place.

All in all, it was a special moment.

His first run came all the way back on April 15, 2020 … a full two years ago, with that long- layoff being necessitated through a serious injury.

To come back at all was already a star performance from the horse, trainer David Vandyke and, of course, all of those who cared for him along the way.

To run as well as he did was just a bonus.

“He has drawn wide and obviously when he’s been off this long, we are not going in full of confidence, but we are hoping he has a nice return and runs a decent race,” said Vandyke, going into the race.

Certainly, the barrier twelve draw in a thirteen horse field was hardly a ‘welcome back’ present, but Landsborough Lad ($3.10) took that task in his stride.

He jumped well, but was held three wide, in fourth spot, as Field Regiment ($5) took the field along at the head of affairs in the early part.

Turning for home, Field Regiment was still going strongly up front and he held a four length advantage over Landsborough Lad at that stage, with the Vandyke runner forced to swing four wide on the turn.

Halfway up the straight it was clear that Field Regiment had the race safely within his keeping, but Landsborough Lad ran on steadily in the straight, passing all but the winner in the chase to the line to earn a very satisfying second place.

Now that was a nice ‘welcome back’ present!

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