Ramsden next for Samuel Langhorne
It is a good time of year for a stayer to find form with some significant options towards higher prizes on offer, and that is the position the Mick Kent-trained Samuel Langhorne is in after notching a third win in succession with victory in the William Newton VC Handicap (2500m).
Fittingly for Anzac Day, a former Kiwi galloper-turned Aussie has found his good run in time for a tilt at a golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup should the four-year-old gelding be able to win the Listed The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) on May 18.
Progression is key for this son of 2010 Melbourne Cup winner, Shocking.
“He has a massive stride,” Kent said.
“He had the race won a long way out, but it took him a while to do it.”
Filly blooming over time
The Hayes training team know that patience can pay dividends and an Anzac Day outing for Poifect delivered the result they hoped as the three-year-old filly took out the Colonel Sybil Irving MBE (1400m).
“It is all starting to click mentally for her now,” Ben Hayes said.
“She has just taken time to show her best.”
While there are few better stages for any horse to do just that, her next step is likely to be a race like the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) in ten days as the training trio believe in her ability to reach out over a longer distance.
Egan’s double scored on ‘a happy horse’
Jockey Billy Egan began the day with a win aboard Pondalowie in The Les Carlyon (1100m) and followed up with the Patrick Payne-trained Moverforlex in the WGCDR Ian Bayles DFC (1600m) in a tight finish.
With the potential to continue the gelding’s winning form over further that this mile trip, Egan was full of praise for Payne’s work in getting what was an immature four-year-old with Tasmanian connections to notching her first win since July 2023.
“When I got out, I knew he would have something to give,” Egan said.
“He’s a happy horse now and that makes the difference.”
Winter Championship prospects for end of day winner
Michael Dee earned a riding double with Poifect and the winner of the final event, Veloce Caro, in the Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Inc Trophy (1100m) but it might be a Flemington feature deeper into wintertime where Ciaron Maher may be pointing the gelding.
The Winter Championship series culminates with the Listed Winter Championship Final over 1600-metres in July and while adept down the Flemington straight, assistant trainer Jack Turnbull says that the four-year-old has potential as a miler.
“We know he is effective down the straight but the Winter Championship is a likely target,” Turnbull said.
Racing is back at Flemington for Andrew Ramsden Stakes Day on Saturday May 18.
