Luck and good fortune can play a big part in racing as Annabel Neasham can attest with sprinter Sweet Ride who is aiming for back-to-back wins at Moonee Valley.
After being successful over the 1000m journey on August 12, Sweet Ride returns to the same track and trip in the Listed Carlyon Stakes on Saturday.
In his most recent outing, Sweet Ride drew the widest gate in barrier seven, but as luck would have it, a couple of the sprinter’s opponents bungled the start allowing Sweet Ride to take up a forward position.
It proved decisive as Sweet Ride held off a late challenge from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Omni Man to win narrowly.
“He was brilliant two weeks ago,” Neasham told RSN.
“He’s got really good gate speed and last time he drew awkwardly, but a few of them missed the kick, including Omni Man which helped.”
Neasham concedes it may pose a different scenario on Saturday, but the positive this time is Sweet Ride has drawn in barrier three.
Against that though is Sweet Ride rises 3kg as against Omni Man who jumps just 1.5kg, although Omni Man is drawn inside of Neasham’s last start winner which gives the trainer some confidence.
“He’s drawn to get the run of the race and he’s just a really honest horse,” Neasham said.
“He very rarely puts in a bad run bit it is a step up again in opposition, however the fact that he’s on speed and makes his own luck, it certainly helps around that track.
“I think Gai’s horse, Omni Man, was a bit unlucky the other day, but that’s the nice thing about my horse, he’ll be close in the run.”
Michael Dee, who rode Sweet Ride to victory, again has the mount on Saturday.
Omni Man is favoured to win on Saturday as the $3.10 top pick with Sweet Ride a $7.50 chance.
