Champion trainer Darren Weir admits he didn’t think Voodoo Lad was ready to win first-up at Caulfield.
Trained out of his Warrnambool base, Weir saw Voodoo Lad at Ballarat on Monday morning for a track gallop ahead of Saturday The Heath over 1100m.
To Weir’s eye Voodoo Lad was big in condition but was assured by Jarrod McLean, in charge of his Warrnambool stable, the gelding was ready to run.
Voodoo Lad ($3.60) held-off a late charge from So Si Bon ($13) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Crystal Dreamer ($11) the same margin away third.
Weir said the trip from Warrnambool to Ballarat helped trim Voodoo Lad for his first-up assignment.
“It’s not always about the gallop, it’s about the trip as well,” Weir said.
“He got a bit of adrenaline flowing and it toughened him up a bit.
“He’s an old gelding that will eat whatever you put in front of him.
“He looked healthy and well, but looked big and I thought he’d need the run, but good horses can do it.”
Weir said Voodoo Lad was suited to the beach training environment at Warrnambool with his feet problems.
“Down there he doesn’t have those problems and it’s a credit to Jarrod and his team that they’re able to get the right amount of work into him,” Weir said.
The champion trainer hasn’t picked out a program for Voodoo Lad who has won three of his four starts at Caulfield and is unbeaten at Saturday’s trip.
