Coolmore Stud purchased RANCH HAND (Fastnet Rock – Mezulla) at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $260,000 and all concerned thought bringing him back up here for some Black Type in the Gr 3 Ken Russell Memorial.
He was first-up but had been a dual acceptor in Sydney, scratched for this.
And, after an average start then staying back on the rails, which proved to be the slow part of the track, he dashed along the fence in the straight, hit the front and tried his heart out.
Problem for those connections was that slow part of the track was indeed very slow and he was beaten by a nostril on the line by SUBTERRANEAN (Rebel Dane – Caves) who charged late from the back down the centre of the track which was like swimming with flippers on.
Matt Dunn trains the winner, Nash Rawiller rode him and drawing wide proved to be advantageous. Ranch Hand, on the other hand drew gate 3 and after stepping away a little sluggishly he found himself on the fence.
His run, therefore, was outstanding. He lost by a nostril.
But, he lost.
So plaudits go to Subterranean who took his career record to six starts for two wins and three placings and $170,000 in prize money. His finishing burst was very exciting.
Back in third was RHAPSODY ROSE (Star Witness – Ritzy) for trainer Chris Munce who ran home gamely in a race where the pace was on all the way.
Ranch Hand and Subterranean have set themselves up for the bigger stakes races coming up at the Queensland carnival.
