Beyond Pardon Brings Up Three For Maskiell
- Saturday, 29 May 2010 03:11
A patient ride by Jason Maskiell on Beyond Pardon brought up his third win for the day in the first three races at Moonee Valley this afternoon.
Maskiell rode Beyond Pardon at Flemington last start where he set up a big lead, only to be run down in the closing stages by Dysphonia.
Ridden more patiently in the lead today, Beyond Pardon ($2.00-$3.00F) came into the straight with enough of a lead to hold off his stablemate Stoneblack ($12-$14-$13) by a short neck on the line.
Zabeel gelding Base ($6.00-$7.00) ran home well for third, 1½ lengths further back, while second favourite Rain Shadow ($3.80-$4.40-$4.00) never seemed to get going on the rails to be fourth throughout.
"He came back under the rider and he was controllable and he rated him really well", said winning trainer Robert Smerdon.
Smerdon had thought that his beaten run over the 1600m at Flemington would have made Beyond Pardon stronger over that distance today.
However given that he only just fell in, he will probably drop Beyond Pardon back in distance next start.
"He didn't have to let down until late and was still a bit vulnerable at the end of 1600", Smerdon said.
"He should have been stronger late and I'm thinking he might be better going back to 1400."
Today's rain affected track probably helped Beyond Pardon, who raced in tips today rather than normal shoes.
"He's had heel problems so we've working him in different sort of shoeing gear and racing in tips to keep the pressure off his heels", said Smerdon.
"We worked him in them a couple of weeks ago and decided to keep them on him today."
With today's victory, the Invincible Spirit gelding bred by Chatswood Stud brought his prizemoney earnings to $216,000.
"He's been a good earner. I think he cost us $45,000 so he's more than paid his way", Smerdon said.
Smerdon revealed that connections had been fielding offers from Hong Kong interests but so far no deal had been concluded.
An offer of around $250,000 would be very attractive to the big syndicate of owners when added to his racetrack earnings to date.
"They're probably worth more than they can earn", he said.
Photos: Colin Bull
