Lebrechaun Wins National Sprint

Sunday, 13 March 2011 07:45

A long-range plan to win the Listed National Sprint in Canberra came off for local trainer Matthew Dale when Lebrechaun downed Bacchanal Woman in a deceptive photo finish.

Lebrechaun raced wide throughout but stuck to his guns in the straight and fought back to claim the Joe-Pride-trained Bacchanal Woman by a nose.

Pride wasn't convinced Bacchanal Woman, who was chasing a second victory in the 1400m race, had been beaten and decided to view the photo in the stewards' room.

"I've never had a look at a photo before, but I'm going to this time," Pride said.

He agreed with the decision and correct weight was declared.

There was also drama at the start when Glyn Schofield was dislodged from the Chris Waller-trained Altered Boy in the first 10 metres of the race.

Kathy O'Hara's mount Voice Commander jumped inwards and Schofield clipped heels but was not injured in the incident.

Dale said Lebrechaun had been set for the feature race on his home track for some time.

"He sat very wide, had no cover and no help in the run but still toughed it right out against some good quality horses," Dale said.

"We've always believed in this horse and set him for this race from quite a way out and with a bit of rain through the week to soften the track a little it helped a lot."

The five-year-old gelding was brought into work this preparation with the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) his ultimate aim but Dale said those objectives might be shifted following his tough win.

"We had him originally set for the Wagga Cup but he was quite brilliant today over 1400 metres so we might look at something like the Hawkesbury Cup and the Scone Cup and also the Wagga Cup is on the agenda."