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Onwards and upwards for Waddy Waddy

3 minute read

A daring ride by Victorian jockey Laura Lafferty helped promising stayer Waddy Waddy ($15) land his career first win in the Maiden/Class 1 (2150m) in Launceston on Wednesday night.

Jockey LAURA LAFFERTY.
Jockey LAURA LAFFERTY. Picture: Racing Photos.

After being well back in the field and with a slow tempo, Laura Lafferty took off near the 1000m mark, dashing to the lead and holding off all comers.

After the race, trainer Brendan Mcshane outlined some big plans for the Dundeel x Crooked Stick 4YO.

"He was just the most magnificent looking horse at the sale, and I just absolutely fell in love with him.

"He's got a lot of ability, and it's taken him a long time to learn how to do things," the trainer said.

"We bought him to measure up to cup standard, and that's what he has to do, and I think he can because he is as tough as nails."

After finishing an unlucky seventh, beaten a little more than a length in Hobart last month, Lafferty flew over specifically for the ride.

McShane and Lafferty combined for a winning double when Thelma led all the way in the BM68 (1200m).

Well supported to run the favourite, Thelma ($2.60) took her record to 19 starts for five wins and eight minor placings.

"We train on treadmills. They do their final gallop on the treadmill; they don't overdo it.

"We use satellite navigation when they gallop. I can tell what their hearts are doing at any stage of the gallop," the trainer said.

First-up win after deceptive trial

First starter Hoax caused an upset in the 2YO maiden (1120m), downing the well-supported fellow debutant Gems Eagle ($3.70 – $1.95).

Hoax, a filly by Saxon Warrior x Immortal Charm, failed to impress at her only barrier trial, finishing fourth of sixth. After drawing a wide barrier, she was unwanted in the betting, starting at $26 after opening at $15.

The Barry Campbell-trained youngster settled well back in the field and made a long, wide run to down the favourite, with Sky Land ($5) third.

"She's a nice filly; she hasn't shown us a lot; she drew the carpark tonight and was wide the trip, so she did a terrific job.

"Her mother was a really good galloper, and she broke down; her mother could really gallop," the trainer said.

Two on the trot for Gallant galloper

Gallant Warriors showed his barnstorming last-to-first win in Hobart last run was no fluke, with a narrow but impressive win in the 1420m BM68.

On a track that was favouring front runners, Gallant Warriors ($4) again came from back in the field to score a last-stride win over the improving Princess Matoaka ($7.50) with the well-backed favourite Ole Ola ($4 – $2) finishing third after leading.

"He's really improved this preparation; he just needed a bit of time, and he's racing like he needs 1600m at the moment," Trinder stable representative Leah Goodrick said after the race.

"I was a little bit worried when he was probably a pair further back than we anticipated, but full credit to him. He got a little bump on the corner but was very strong to the line."

"It was very close, it was tough the whole way up the straight, but his run down in Hobart was super, and I knew he would get there," jockey Erica Byrne Burke added.

Hisword home again

Geegees Hisword ($2.80) made it two wins from his past three runs and rounded out a good night for punters coming from well back to win at his first attempt at 2150m in the BM76.

The 4YO settled back in the field, but jockey David Pires set him alight 600m from home, and while he looked set for an easy win in the end, it was narrow with Clifton Danseur ($13) refusing to give in.

"Full credit to Dave; he knows him well. He's a strong rider, and he got the job done," trainer Stuart Gandy said.


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