In-form jockey Daniel Stackhouse had a little extra reason to smile after So Let’s Toast’s victory in a two-year-old race at Sale.
The colt is part-owned by his mother Vicki and Wednesday’s win in the maiden may be the start of bigger things for the colt who is trained at Mornington by John McArdle.
“I’ve always liked this horse and have had a lot of time for him,” Stackhouse told racing.com.
“I got my mum interested in him, so it’s great to get a result for her especially.”
Starting the $3.70 favourite, So Let’s Toast overcame greenness to score by a neck from Ain’t She Cute ($81) with Limpet ($19) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Stable representative Brady McArdle, said the team was confident So Let’s Toast had the ability to win on Wednesday but were concerned with his pre-race antics.
“He got everything wrong before the race,” McArdle said.
“He got himself in a mess out the back, he was in a sweat going to the gates, but he calmed down a bit when he got beside the pony which was rather helpful.
“He did things reasonably well during the race and when the pressure came on he started to wander again, but ability got him over the line.”
McArdle said the stable won’t be rushing So Let’s Toast and if they think he needs a break will send out before a spring return.
“We think he’s got spring potential but we don’t want to push him too far,” McArdle said.
“If he pulls up great we’ll give him another one and then tip him out, but if he shows any signs, we’ll just wait.”
So Let’s Toast’s win gave Stackhouse his 115th Victorian winner for the season, moving him to within two of leader Jye McNeil in the premiership race.
The season ends on July 31.
