THE GAMBLING GREEK SCORES A PROMISING DEBUT WIN

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, May 8, 2024

It was an exciting win, not just because of the professional way in which The Gambling Greek, a two-year-old on debut, went about his business, but because the performance met expectations and added to the promise of the future.

The debut win came in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1200m at Eagle Farm on May 8, with the fact that the race taking place on a soft 7 racing surface only adding to the merit of the Tony and Maddysen Sears trained son of Russian Revolution performance.

The Gambling Greek had two positive trials leading into the race. He won the second of those and showed enough to be installed as a $4 second favourite behind Provance ($2.25) who already had a run under his belt, having caught the eye when finishing second on debut.

The Gambling Greek had no shortage of gate speed and Angela Jones speared the Sears trained runner into an immediate lead.

I’m Heroic ($13) moved up to try and join The Gambling Greek as the field started the sweep to the home turn, but Jones and The Gambling Greek didn’t allow that as Jones just touched the accelerator slightly to make sure she maintained a clear lead and that I’m Heroic didn’t annoy her mount.

Turning for home the lead was two lengths and The Gambling Greek was travelling well ... but there was no lack of ambition amongst those behind him, including the favourite Provance who Maloney had been biding his time on back some five lengths off the lead.

Italian Dancer ($7) was another who had not given up on a chance to win, and these two runners now set about cutting back the leeway to The Gambling Greek in the run home ... Italian Dancer charging down the inside while Provance chased strongly down the centre of the track.

When The Gambling Greek started to run around a bit through greenness inside the final 200m, it half opened the door for Provance and Italian Dancer, who now were the only two runners with a chance to reel in The Gambling Greek ... but only half opened ... and once Jones had balanced up The Gambling Greek again, he kicked on the line.

The winning margin was a fast diminishing 0.34 and 0,57 lengths back to Provance and Italian Dancer respectively, but, in spite of the small final margin of victory, The Gambling Greek excelled in doing it at both ends to keep all challenges at bay.

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