What a good opening race at Randwick today.
WINNING VERSE ( Winning Rupert – She’s Poetry) led and looked all over a winner when she had the odds on pop SACRED FIELD (Deep Field – Rites of Spring) off the bit from the turn home.
But both PARK AVENUE (Fastnet Rock – Mywayofthehighway) and CONEXY (Nicconi – Fast and Sexy) made significant ground late and both contributed to what was a thrilling finish.
In the end, Park Avenue prevailed by a nostril, timing his run to absolute perfection with Jean van Overmire in the saddle. He now has had two starts for two wins and $95,000 in prize money. Sadly for connections, he is a gelding.
Winning Verse hung on, fought on, finished on for second a centimetre away after bravely disposing of Princess Spice who raced fast for most of the race with her and then Sacred Field who came to challenge but wasn’t seasoned enough on the day.
He was on debut and was heavily backed following two nice trial wins.
His run, to wind up 3rd in a blanket finish was commendable given it was his first trip to the actual races.
Said winning rider, JVO (as he now is known) “I definitely think he will have a great future.
“Michael (Freedman co-trainer) has always had a big opinion. He has a lot of upside and will get more distance.
“He’s not mature enough yet either. Once the penny drops he will develop into a very smart horse.”
Conexy was 4th and may have been the hard luck story of the race.
He has a lot of talent and was climbing all over the ones in front of him throughout the race, racing ungenerously, unintelligently and giving away a big start as he was last for home.
But when he was allowed to run, he let rip and charged home between runners for an eye-catching 4th.
Hard to see any of the top four home not winning at their next assignments.
The winner cost $220,000 as a yearling when purchased from the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
