Gallopin Makes Low-Key Return In New Zealand
- Sunday, 13 September 2009 02:15
2008 Moonee Valley Cup winner Gallopin finished fifth in the NZ$25,000 LJ Hooker Spring Plate (1200m) at Whangarei in New Zealand on Saturday, after a ten-month absence from the racetrack. Having his first run for new trainer Patsy Riley and still raced by his pre-existing ownership, Gallopin was far from disgraced after he was beaten only a length and three quarters from the winner Mill Duckie.
Ridden by apprentice Jason Collett, Gallopin finished two lengths ahead of the Stephen McKee trained Striker who only last preparation was placed in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m).
Formerly trained by Danny O'Brien, Gallopin burst onto the Melbourne racing scene with four consecutive wins, capped off with success in the 2008 $150,000 Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington.
With the aim of gaining a start in the Melbourne Cup, Gallopin snuck into the field by winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) after faltering in the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at his previous start.
Gallopin chocked-down in the last years Melbourne Cup (3200m) with the horse subsequently going under the knife for a wind operation.
Only time will tell whether the son of Pins will return to his best in his homeland and have another crack at Group 1 level.
Picture - Quentin Lang