SAND MAR 03 - OUTLANDISH LAD RETURNS WITH A STRONG WIN.

By Scott Gooley | Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sandown-Lakeside, March 3, 2010.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 2m.
RST 82 Handicap. Time: 1-10-79. (Carrying 58.5kgs)
1 Outlandish Lad; 2 Sidesplitter; 3 Akihito.

The four year old gelding Outlandish Lad has returned from a spell with a strong win in the Betfair Handicap (82) at Sandown on Wednesday.

The grey son of Fantastic Light had not raced since taking out the All Greys Handicap at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day last year.

The Mark Kavanagh trained galloper drew plenty of support from punters and was sent out a confident $3 favourite.

Jumping from the inside gate and ridden by Michael Rodd, Outlandish Lad settled fifth in the early stages, three back on the fence and a little over four lengths off the leader, Side Splitter.

At the 800m Perricoota Run, who had been caught wide from her awkward barrier draw at the tail of the field, began to move forward three deep.

As a result, Outlandish Lad was now sixth and with the solid pace being set by Side Splitter, five lengths of the pace.

Racing toward the home turn, Rodd found himself in what was quickly becoming an awkward position.

Side Splitter piloted the field around the home turn with Akihito, who had trialled the leader throughout, peeling off his back and making his run with Perricoota Run, still racing three wide.

This left Outlandish Lad caught behind a wall of horses and with runners from the tail of the field commencing their runs on his outside, Rodd had no option but to ride his mount for luck in the run to the judge.

Full of running, Outlandish Lad was still waiting for the run to appear and, as the runners charged inside the last furlong, Rodd could wait no more and began to drive the gelding through the narrowest of gaps between Side Splitter and Akihito.

Squeezing through with 150m to run, Outlandish Lad levelled up with Side Splitter and gave favourite backers the chance to finally breathe when he edged in front of Side Splitter over the final 50m and went on to record a long neck victory.

Akihito held on for third place, a further neck away.

Outlandish Lad has now won five of his fourteen starts.

The Mark Kavanagh, Michael Rodd combination completed a double later in the day when Mystera took out the final race on the card.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mark Kavanagh: “He’s still got a bit of attitude and is a bit of a thinker. He had a sweat today, but there’s still a bit of improvement in him.”

“He was blocked for a run. He’s bullocked his way through and he’s done a good job.”

“I think he’ll go through his grades pretty easy. He’s certainly better than the grey’s race and he’s better than these guys, so, you know, he could get out to something like a Winter Championship or something like that.”

Jockey Michael Rodd: “I thought I’d be a length further forward than what I ended up.”

“There was a pretty good speed and obviously everyone’s sort of worked out the pattern that it’s a little bit on pace today.”

“Three back on the fence wasn’t my ideal position, but I just hung in there and rode him for a bit of luck.”

“I know he’s got that touch of class on his side and he’s got a good turn of foot and he was able to angle through and won quite nice.”

“I just needed to wait for something to open up for him. It did and, like I said, he’s got a bit of class on his side. He won that grey’s race over the carnival, he carried 54kgs that day and he’s stepped up and carried 58.5 today so it was a good effort.”

PRICES:
Outlandish Lad (3.00 favourite); Side Splitter (10.00); Akihito (12.00).

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Prior to correct weight B Rawiller rider of Perricoota Run, the fourth placegetter, viewed the Stewards film before deciding not to lodge an objection.

On jumping away Easton shifted out and brushed Cascabel. Shortly after the start Sense Of Sun shifted out and bumped Bowhunter (NZ). In the early part of the straight Cascabel experienced some difficulty in obtaining a clear run.

Perricoota Run raced wide without cover throughout.

For a short distance approaching the 200m Outlandish Lad was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.

Near the 200m Iamzeus (NZ) had to be eased when tightened for room between Perricoota Run, which shifted in slightly, and Cascabel which shifted out slightly.

Near the 100m, when obtaining a run between Side Splitter and Akihito, Outlandish Lad then shifted out and took Akihito out onto Perricoota Run resulting in both those horses becoming unbalanced and taken out slightly of their course. M Rodd rider of Outlandish Lad was notified to exercise more care when in similar circumstances in future.