He didn’t want to go in at first, but when he relented and went in the boom horse VOWMASTER (Written Tycoon-Bring A Ring) jumped midfield, settled for about two strides, then went very hard toward the lead three wide and, well, folded up in the straight to run 5th.
It was a forgivable run but wasn’t that of a star horse.
ANDERMATT (Snitzel-Portillo) on the other hand, who had always shown a lot of talent, sat just behind the speed, peeled out as they turned and was very strong down the running yo beat VULPINE (Snitzel-Elusive Leonie) and SAPPHIRE CROWN (Hallowed Crown-Sapphire Lass) quite comfortably.
“This is a seriously talented colt,” beamed James Cummings his trainer after the race. “Hugh Bowman rode him last year and told me he could be one of the best. Rated him capable of beating Anders.
“I’ve resumed him with patience and not chased the big races just yet, but he now with some experience, should be able to go on with it and he will be competitive with all the good 3YOs.”
Before the race, Cummings was interviewed on Sky Racing and said of all his horses racing on the day, he liked Andermatt’s chances the most! It was a huge call considering the horse hadn’t raced for nine months.
We should have followed the lead. He started at $3.90 with Ladbrokes.
As for the previously unbeaten Vowmaster, this was just not his day.
He too was resuming, but he raced fiercely and three wide all the way, wobbled on the home turn, made a dash but just ran out of gas.
He will improve but the boom has transferred from him to Andermatt now.
Said rider Rachel King of the winner, “He is very focussed once he’s out of the gates.
“He’s a bit coltish before hand, but he can put them away which he showed today. I think he will be better on a better track too.”
Vulpine is a good mare who had won her past two starts, both in town and she raced on the speed all the way. But Andermatt went by her rather comfortably.
Sapphire Crown, who was a last start Flemington winner was over 3 lengths back in 3rd.
Both gallopers underlining just how good the winner is who was having just his 3rd race start.
