It was a very successful Sunday for our white, black & red colours, with a two-state double.
Gunstock kicked off the proceedings with an incredible performance over 1600m at Cranbourne. Liam Riordan partnered the Tavistock colt as just his second start but had no joy from the wide gate being forced to sit 3 deep the entire trip.
Gunstock travelled sweetly out wide for Liam who had to start his run 700m out, putting him right in the firing line heading into the straight. Gunstock dug deep and kept edging away from Roebling to score a strong and impressive ¾ length win.
“It was a huge win. I was watching the race thinking if this horse keeps coming and wins, it’s a hug effort because he (Liam Riordan) had to make 3 runs on the horse, nothing really worked out, he didn’t get in and Cranbourne’s not an easy track to sit wide.” co-trainer to Mick Price, Michael Kent Jnr commented post race.
“He’s a real staying colt, I don’t think we will waste anytime going up to nice or ten furlongs on a big track” said Kent Jnr.
Jockey Liam Riordan was full of praise for Gunstock after the race.
“I wasn’t that worried about being 3 deep, It’s all about keeping them in a rhythm and he’s a horse that we think will make the grade and probably run in the Derby this year.”
“It’s great to see him head on the chest, travel and put away not a bad field.”
Gunstock is now full steam ahead to the UCI Stakes at Flemington, en route to the VRC Derby.
Dalgarno continued the winning form north of the border winning at Coffs Harbour in his first start for his new trainer Nathan Doyle.
A once VRC Derby hopefully himself, Dalgarno’s transition to NSW has paid quick dividends as he seems to have matured and furnished further into a lovely gelding.
Lee Magorrian rode a patient race on the big grey and his strength urged him over the line in a three-way battle over the last 200m.
“He won well today. He jumped well, didn’t muster speed up that well but they went quick in front and we ended up a bit further back than I wanted to be. But I thought he went well, I got on the back of one of the favourites and I knew he would be hard to beat.” Lee said in his post-race comments
“Today was a confidence booster for him. He’s been running around in Melbourne in a higher grade and maybe lost confidence a bit. I think now coming to Sydney and getting on the Sydney leg for the first time, he’s really done a good job and I think he will go on with it and when this horse gets up over 2000m you’ll see a better horse.”
Dalgarno will look to take nice benefit from that win and will be aimed to go through the grades.
Congratulations to all of the winning connections of both Gunstock and Dalgarno.