Magro Challengers Moody For Training Honours
- Sunday, 01 August 2010 04:38
Unlike his stable jockey Luke Nolen did just a race prior, Peter Moody was unable to salute in the $70,000 Congratulations Peter Moody Handicap (1200m), a race named in his honour, instead Cranbourne trainer Darren Magro took the honours.
Ocean Challenger ($4.40,$5.50,$4.60) started smartly and was given the run of the race by Craig Williams travelling sweetly on the heels of race leader Altitude ($11,$13,$12) around a slippery Caulfield circuit.
Williams showed patience waiting until the 300m mark before peeling off Altitude and hitting the line strongly to score by half a length with Heartland ($26,$31) running on nicely a length away.
Magro was always confident of the four-year-old mare’s chances but was aware she would need luck in the straight.
“The horse puts herself there, she finishes her races off and she just needed a bit of luck today,” said Magro.
“Craig told us before the race that we would just need a bit of luck in the straight, and we got it.”
Black type is now very much on the agenda for the daughter of Rubiton with Magro keen to test her against the fillies and mares.
“We will have to have a go at a couple of the black type mare’s races coming up on that win,” said Magro.
Williams described the win as ‘dominant’ praising the efforts of Magro believing the trainer has the mare worked out.
“She only needed luck and when she got it she was really dominant,” said Williams
“Darren has done a terrific job with the horse, he doesn’t gallop her much and keeps her fresh and it works,”
Photo by Fiona Tomlin
