Estadio Mestalla is a name Australian racing fans had better get used to and the Irish import had better get used to the place reserved for winners on Australian racetracks judging by his performance at Rosehill on Wednesday.
So said champion jockey James Mcdonald, who partnered the son of Galileo Gold to an explosive win in the Hyland Race Colours BM72 Handicap (1500m).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding’s attitude during the race was spot on, but before and after his mind wandered, which McDonald said made for an interesting experience.
“He’s a tricky little bugger, he didn’t really want to go to the gates to start with and he didn’t want to come back into the winners stall either, but he better get used to that because I think he’s going to be visiting it a lot,” McDonald said.
Estadio Mestalla ($3.20 fav) appreciated a patient ride from McDonald at his Australian debut to explode past his rivals in the straight and score by 2-1/4 lengths from Akahata ($15) with Indifference ($11) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
The son of Galileo Gold’s only prior start resulted in a two-length win in a 1609m 2YO Novice at Kempton Park in November last year.
“He gave me a really good feel and he oozes a lot of quality in terms of how well he carries himself,” McDonald said.
“It took me two or three furlongs to get him into some sort of rhythm and then I was really comfortable between probably the 1000 and the 300, where he dropped the bridle, which was pleasing.
“He’s a lovely horse. He’s going to shoot through the grades very quickly, especially with that turn of foot.”
