ASTIN LANE'S PROMISING DEBUT WIN

By Graham Potter | Monday, April 1, 2024

To have a two-year-old win on debut reflects positively on the expertise of the trainer and, as with any debut winner, the satisfaction level for connections is pretty high.

Enter Astin Lane, a two-year-old bay filly trained by Michael Nolan, who faced the starter for the first time at Ipswich on April 1 in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Plate over 800m.

The daughter of Vancouver was involved in a bit of a dogfight for favouritism on the betting boards, ultimately landing that position at a starting price of $2.35 ahead of Toro Strike ($2.60) but, in the race itself, Astin Lane would roundly trounce Toro Strike to the tune of 5.40 lengths as her market rival could do no better than fill third place.

Separating the two main fancies in the finish was Paleface Ringo, a $101 rank outsider, who claimed second place, 0.60 lengths behind Astin Lane, who always had the race within her keeping.

There is simple no room for error in this 800m dash and Cejay Graham signalled her clear intent to dictate the course of events aboard Astin Lane from the outset.

The wide barrier number nine barrier draw could have been a sticking point if Astin Lane had hesitated, but she was the picture of professionalism as she jumped well for Graham, pushed forward early with meaning with a strong early effort which was good enough to see her claim the lead by the time the field had travelled 200m.

Graham was then able to cross to the rail ... again Astin Lane seemed to be following a push button command ... and the Nolan trained runner carried a two-and-a-half length advantage over Paleface Ringo into the home straight.

Astin Lane already had all but Paleface Ringo well and truly beaten early in the home straight and, although the 101 chance kept coming and ran way above expectations, Astin Lane always had the game, grey covered, even though Paleface Ringo did get within that 0.60 lengths of the winner at the line.

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