Travis Doudle’s stable stalwart Not Usual Glorious notched up his second Victorian win from as many starts in a tough performance at Caulfield
Not Usual Glorious came to Caulfield in fine form, having run in the top two at his last four starts, including a last start win in the Apsly Cup at Casterton, and his toughness was on show, holding off race favourite Lyrical Lad who looked to have the race won at the 100m mark.
Apprentice Logan Mcneil, younger brother of Jye, wanted the front and eventually worked across to lead fellow South Australian Noname Lane. The rising six-year-old gelding finding plenty in the straight when headed at the 200m before again having to fend off the late surge from Lyrical Lad.
Racing manager for the Doudle stable Stephen Theodore was full of praise for both the horse and trainer, with the win delivering Doudle his first Melbourne metro winner from fourteen starts.
“To come here today, he’s a brilliant young trainer who’s coming through, it’s a pleasure to be involved with him. This horse is going to hopefully continue to represent the stable well, he’s got some nice young horses coming through and his stocks building nicely,” Theodore said.
Jockey Logan McNeil was riding Not Usual Glorious for the first time and was complementary of the horse’s will to win.
“He’s tough, that’s’ for sure… we sort of got headed with 100, 200 to go and he just dug deep and fought them off and he really deserved that today.” McNeil said.
