Clevadude sent out a warning to his rivals in next month’s Magic Millions Classic when he strolled home at Moonee Valley to keep an unbeaten record on Saturday.
Making it two wins from as many starts, the two-year-old led from the start in the Sportingbet Plate (1000m) and was never threatened.
Clevadude winning the Race 1 at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Jockey Craig Newitt eased the $1.55 favourite home by 4-1/2 lengths from The Yowie ($3.80) with Gold Hoffa ($17) third in a four-horse race.
In revised Classic markets after two-year-old races in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, Clevadude shared favouritism for the January 12 Gold Coast race with the filly Assail at $3.80.
When prompted, veteran trainer Rick Hore-Lacy said Clevadude had already shown he had the potential to rank with his former stars, Blue Diamond winner Redoute’s Choice and Golden Slipper hero Canny Lad.
“He could be up there with them,” Hore-Lacy said. “He’s got to win a Blue Diamond or a Golden Slipper before you can make that remark – but he just makes them look sick, doesn’t he.”
Frustratingly, Hore-Lacy had to geld Clevadude.
“He struck out one day and nearly got me and he reared up going on the walker and took a big chip off his shin,” he said.
“When he did that I just thought he’d gone to the point of no return, he was just too big, too bully, too heavy and too colty.
“I was crying too, because I thought he would be a good horse.”
A $225,000 purchase at the Magic Millions second sale, Hore-Lacy said he was confident of Clevadude measuring up in the Magic Millions.
“There’ll be plenty of opposition but this bloke will take some beating, particularly if he’s lucky enough to draw a gate,” he said.
Newitt said Clevadude would not have such an easy run in the Magic Millions, but was quick to emphasise his untapped power.
“He’s got a huge cruising speed and the whole way he was just chopping and changing waiting for something to race him,” Newitt said.
“I just let him keep rolling because up there the pressure’s going to be on the whole way.
“But he went to the line with a fair bit in reserve because I’m sure once he’s challenged he’s got plenty more to give.”
