Lad Looks Well Placed In Geelong Cup
Story By by Gary Crispe
Wednesday, 22 October 2008:  | | Largo Lad |
The David Hayes trained gelding, who has promised so much but as yet hasn't delivered, looks ideally placed in the feature race which contains a host of Melbourne Cup hopefuls.
Largo Lad is still among the entries, and if Hayes thinks he can run the two miles then to be any hope of making the Cup line-up he needs to win well and gain a penalty, as he's handicapped with just 50kg.
Largo Lad kicked off his spring over 1400m on a heavy track at Sandown Hillside and after settling near the tail circled the field to score an impressive two length win over Scenic Bullet in a good form race.
He then raced over the same journey in the Listed Hong Kong Jockey Club Plate, where he settled midfield and battled home fairly to finish seventh, beaten 5.3 lengths behind Stavka.
Up to a more suitable 1720m at Flemington he again got back to the tail and was there throughout before hitting the line strongly and finishing runner-up, beaten only a long neck, behind Jabal Tarik.
Next start Hayes threw him right in the deep end, tackling the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes, where he was far from disgraced.
After settling sixth in the small field he worked home steadily to finish fifth, but less than two lengths behind proven weight-for-age galloper Douro Valley.
Today he drops back to a handicap and drops significantly in the weights, down 5kg on his last start in weight-for-age grade.
The outside gate would ordinarily spell doom but for this giant galloper it may be an advantage. A genuine speed will probably see him drift back anyway but with his big finish he should be powering home in the straight.
The clear form horse of the race is Light Vision, but he faces his toughest career test as he has to carry topweight in today's tough race.
The Robert Smerdon-trained gelding won his last start last campaign over 2000m at Flemington, then returned with an all the way win over a mile at Caulfield with a leg in the air – the first time he has won at a distance under 2000m.
Getting back up to that journey next time at Flemington he was an all the way winner again, before tackling the Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield next start, where he took the sit this time and sat fourth throughout.
He hit the line nicely, though, running on to finish a half length second behind Zagreb with Baughurst third.
Last start, up to 2520m at Flemington, he tackled the Bart Cummings Stakes for the second year running.
Although he could manage only third in the race last year with a light weight, this time he carried 56.5kg to a gutsy win, where he was headed by Baughurst but fought back to score.
The runner-up has since franked the form with an easy win in the group 3 David Jones Cup.
Light Vision tackles a tougher race this time and also rises in weight by another kilo.
He has drawn the middle but should have the pace to cross and take up the running.
The gelding would be one of the most consistent stayers in the country and despite the big weight should give a big sight again today.
The interesting runner in the race is international galloper Bauer, who is trying to force his way into the Melbourne Cup with a win today.
The Luca Cumani-trained five-year-old is fresh-up today, having not raced since finishing seventh in the Newburgh Stakes over 2700m. The winner of that race, seven lengths ahead of this galloper, was Godolphin's All The Good, who won last Saturday's Caulfield Cup.
He has five wins from just 17 starts from 2000m to 2800m and although yet to win fresh-up will be primed for this, as there aren't many more chances to qualify for the Cup if he can't here.
His master Timeform rating of 111 is certainly high enough to be in the mix here.
Damien Oliver has the ride from barrier 15.
There are a host of other chances in the race, including the honest Zavite, who was third in the Bart Cummings behind Light Vision then fourth in the Group 2 Winning Edge Stakes behind Dolphin Jo.
This race is no tougher and from a good draw should be camped just off the leaders throughout.
Magic Instinct is worth another chance as he drops in grade and gets back to firmer footing which suits, while Moatize will be powering home with the light weight.
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