3 minute read
Not even a flat tyre on the way home could take the air out of Blake Ryan’s day.
The skilled Hawkesbury horseman, who began training at the beginning of last year and recently celebrated a city breakthrough, won his sixth race this season when Illustrating Law scored at Gosford today.
And whilst Ryan wasn't surprised with the three-year-old's victory in the Class 1 Handicap (1000m), he certainly was with the odds offered by bookmakers.
Starting at $14, Illustrating Law (Jay Ford) began awkwardly before wearing down $2.25 favorite Alicia Roma after racing outside her and bravely not giving in.
In the process, Zhonghli Thoroughbreds-owned Illustrating Law made it two wins from as many starts on the track.
He was Ryan's first winner of the season when successful in a Gosford Maiden over the same 1000m on October 7.
"I couldn't believe the price," Ryan said of Illustrating Law's double figure odds. "The favorite was having her first start at the provincials, and my horse has been flying.
"He just hasn't been able to get through those real heavy tracks, and his last two runs have now been his best this preparation.
"He is a fast horse who needs a firm track and, whilst it was a Soft 7 today, he will be even better on top of the ground."
Illustrating Law was runner-up to Comonic in a similar class race over 1000m on his home track on May 19 when also partnered by Ford, who has been aboard in all the Showcasing gelding's five runs this campaign.
Ryan prepared two winners in the last half of his first season, including his first starter Divine Future at Orange in February last year and first provincial starter Shoeless Joe at Hawkesbury less than three months later.
Interestingly, his eight career winners to date have all been ridden by different jockeys.
Ryan's recent Rosehill Gardens winner Momack has gone for a well-earned break.
"After winning there on May 21, he raced well below his best there last Saturday, so it was time to pull up stumps," he said.
"Momack did a terrific job racing seven times during that preparation for the Rosehill win and three placings."
Ryan is the fifth trainer of Momack, and moved into new "digs" at Hawkesbury last weekend.
He had the opportunity to transfer to Hobartville Stud owner Grahame Mapp's stables, and has 26 horses in work.
Ryan will have two representatives at his home track meeting on Sunday.
He has decided to start recent Dubbo debut placegetter and dual acceptor Sukhbir (Tyler Schiller) in the Blakes Marine 2YO Maiden Plate (1400m) rather than the Irresistible Pools Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1300m), where he will start Champ Profond (James Innes Jnr).
