3 minute read
A step-up to seven furlongs was all Paltrow needed to let loose her true potential with trainer Laurie Laxon predicting even longer journeys to see her best.
Restricted to 1000m-1200m races at her first five runs, the Thorn Park four-year-old had been warming up only when the race was all over with a closing third in a 1100m speed dash at her second-last outing her only run of note to show for.
But the 1400m trip of Friday’s opening event, a $35,000 Maiden Division 1 race, saw the Oscar Racing Stable-owned mare coming off a handy spot in third behind race-leader Joyous (Manoel Nunes) to pull away to a facile 4 ¼-length victory easing down. She returned $35 for a win bet.
The beaten brigade could only pick up the pieces in her wake. Joyous who was sent out as the $17 favourite held on for second with Royal Explorer (Barend Vorster) third another 2 ¾ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 22.71secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Laxon, who is slowly gathering momentum after a relatively quiet start, said Paltrow had always shown promise but only needed to see her trips lengthened up to showcase her real worth.
“She’s a nice filly but she was all the time looking for more ground,” said Laxon.
“She will go on to better things no doubt.”
Duric was glad his first pairing with Paltrow had yielded a win.
“I did ride her in a trial but it was not a real guide to her ability,” said the in-form Australian jockey.
“But she was down to maiden class today and she really improved a lot. She was never going to lose.”
Duric did not fail to pay tribute to Australian trainer Peter Moody who left racing on a fairytale Group 1-winning note on Thursday with a horse he knows well, Flamberge, in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
“I’m so rapt for Peter he won a Group race at his last day, and on a horse I know so well,” said the Victorian hoop who has often ridden for the trainer of the legendary Black Caviar.
“I won the Group 1 Goodwood with him last year and won another Listed race later. He’s a tough fighter.”
Moody decided to quit training after he was recently banned for six months for a cobalt-related offence. The former Caulfield trainer did send a horse in Singapore once, Magnus who ran second to the great Takeover Target in the 2008 Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m).
