Lee on quest for fresh-up win
Story By by Gary Crispe
Friday, 18 August 2006:  | | Lee Freedman |
In the powerful Lee Freedman yard, Sonic Quest has had just four career starts but has already won twice and did measure up in town.
He made his debut here over the same trip in maiden grade last December, where he proved way too good for his rivals and scored a four length win.
He then went straight to town and straight up to 1700m in a three-year-old open race but again pro0ved too good, sitting on the pace before edging clear for a long neck win on the line.
After a spell he resumed in a Class 6 at Sale over 1510m where he battled on well for fourth, beaten less than two lengths, behind Magic Instinct.
Second-up he dropped back in trip to 1400m at Caulfield where he was beaten for early speed and settled at the tail. After turning there he sprouted wings in the straight and ran into a three-way photo, finishing third but only a neck from the winner Orange County.
The gelding then was sent to the paddock and hasn’t raced since.
Today he drops back to much easier grade and the 1400m suits fresh. He has a nice weight on the minimum and has drawn well in barrier six.
The gelding has plenty of ability and if right should prove hard to hold out.
Stablemate Savlate is in the same boat as Sonic Quest and should also prove hard to hold out fresh.
The gelding has started eight times for four wins and four minors.
Last start he had just four starts, kicking off over this trip in a Class 1 at Bendigo where he sat near last before running on strongly to score.
He then stepped up to a mile in a Class 2 at Seymour where he proved a class above his rivals, scoring by four lengths over Canya Rumba.
He then went to town over 1600m on the Lakeside track at Sandown and carried a big weight on a heavy track, trying hard but just failing when runner-up behind Identity and beaten a half length.
At his final run before a break and his last run he stepped up to 1720m at Flemington and appreciated the big open track, running on strongly and clearing out to score by three lengths over Bella Princess.
He is yet to miss the placings from three fresh-up starts including a win over this journey last campaign.
He has drawn well, handles all conditions and like his stablemate will prove hard to hold out.
South Australian galloper None For The Road is in Victoria as a travelling partner to promising stablemate Blahnik but can pay his way with a good run today.
Prepared by Jon O’Connor at Morphettville, the gelding is being prepared out of Cranbourne with local trainer Mick Kent and with a fitness edge might prove a value hope over some of his more fancied rivals.
The 10-year-old has had five runs this campaign and after finishing well back fresh-up has run four good races, including an open class win two starts back at Gawler over 1400m before finishing a close-up fourth in town at Cheltenham Park last start.
Today he has drawn wide but looks one of the few in the race with any early pace so should have no problem holding a forward position.
The trip suits, he is fit and in-form and should give his backers a good sight at odds.
Another who will be on the pace throughout is another local Shadow, in the Colin Davies yard.
Last start he was run down in the last stride behind Boorkoi Mustang, who should also run well today, but meets that galloper better at the weights and from a good draw will take catching.
Lago Buoy returns to his home track today and looks an improver.
The gelding was a fresh-up winner here over the same trip in a Class 3 where he ran on well to score, before racing with a big weight and from a wide gate in a Class 4 at Werribee where he battled into ninth, four lengths from the winner.
Last start, over 1500m on a heavy track at Mornington, he was one paced in the tough conditions and battled again into fifth, beaten five lengths beghind
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