Brenton Avdulla had been waiting since the spring to get back aboard Cabernet and he capitalised on the opportunity to bring up a Rosehill winning double on Saturday.
Avdulla, who turned 21 during the week, backed up his victory on Magic Weekend in the Hall Chadwick Handicap (1100m) by steering the Grahame Begg-trained Cabernet to an explosive win in the Blackwoods New Catalogue 2012 Handicap (1400m).
“This was the best book of rides I’ve had since the spring carnival time and it’s nice to be able to get a couple of winners,” Avdulla said.
“I’ve been waiting for this mare for a long time. I’ve got a super record on her and once I rode her during the spring carnival I haven’t been able to get back on her since.”
Big weights had seen Begg opt for claiming apprentice Andrew Stead in Cabernet’s past two starts, but on the quick back-up and with only 54kg on her back the trainer gave Avdulla the call up once again.
“He’s got a very good record on her, he’s won four races on her now and knows her so well,” Begg said.
“He rode her extremely well and it was great that he was able to get her over the line.”
Cabernet settled back in the field with the race run to suit and the mare coasted up to the leaders with 200 metres to run.
Avdulla let her go and in the space of 100 metres Cabernet ($4.60) put 2-3/4 lengths on runner-up Parthian ($4.60) with Mr Unforgettable ($5) a short head away third.
“She got everything made to order today whereas last week the race didn’t pan out as we would have liked it to,” Begg said, referring to the mare’s second to Upon This Rock seven days earlier.
“She ran well last week coming off a three-week break and then on the quick back-up today she looked absolutely outstanding in the yard. Our only concern was the give in the ground but she let down very well.”
Begg will now give the mare a short break and aim for a breakthrough black-type win in the autumn with the Listed Wiggle Stakes (1400m) in March the target.
“I have no doubt she’ll definitely win a black-type race somewhere down the track,” Begg said.
AAP TURF
