A howling breeze could not stop the Chris Waller-trained Forged from breaking through for his maiden win at Sandown.
Initially starting his career with Hawkes Racing, Forged has been in the care of Waller for his current campaign and broke through on Wednesday taking out the Ladbroke It! Plate (1200m) at his third start for the stable.
Despite running out under Damian Lane, Forged ($4.60) scored by a half-length from Award Me ($6.50) with the $3 favourite Masako a length away third.
Lane said the wind struck Forged on entering the straight which contributed to the gelding running out under pressure.
“It’s pretty blustery out there,” Lane told racing.com.
“It doesn’t really have an effect down the back straight as it’s mainly a tail wind but entering the straight its across and head on and it did give my horse a blow around.
“It’s taken a little while for the penny to drop with him.
“His runs have been solid, and it all clicked today. He jumped a lot better, travelled a lot better and did the job.”
Waller’s Melbourne stable Jo Taylor said Forged was a laid-back galloper who produces his best come race day.
She said the stable had plenty of confidence about Forged after he had finished third at his two previous runs, the latest over 1300m at Sandown on January 3.
“There is not too much that fazes him,” Taylor said.
“He does everything that you ask of him, and he certainly conserves his energy for race day.
“Based on his first-up effort we thought he could run a nice race and produce that maiden win which he did nicely today.”
