Gogocanny Wins Balaklava Sprint
- Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:09
Gogocanny snapped a twelve race losing streak that lasted eleven months by winning today’s $40,000 Coopers Clear Sprint (1050m) at Balaklava.
Gogocanny ($14-$16) was ridden quietly by Ben Claridge and came with the one run down the outside to defeat Taos Pleasure ($26) by a nose.
Get Set ($6-$8) finished third a further neck away and was gallant in defeat. Used out of the barriers by Libby Hopwood, the six-year-old mare raced four-wide on the speed the entire trip only to be swamped late.
Multiple Group 1 placegetter Grand Duels ($2.50 fav) finished fourth back along the rails while Periduki ($5.50) was unable to obtain the lead from his wide alley and weakened hopelessly into last.
Saratoga Dreams was fractious in the barriers prior to the start and was subsequently scratched on veterinary advice.
Trained by Phillip Stokes, Gogocanny won two of his first three races and as a three-year-old finished fifth in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).
However since then Gogocanny has struggled to live up to that early promise, boasting a modest record of four wins and four placings from 22 starts with prizemoney in excess of $140,000.
Picture: Jenny Barnes
