Dean Holland has given a masterly front-running ride aboard outsider Sarodec to claim victory at Sandown.
Holland was able to dictate the pace on the Richard Laming-trained three-year-old to claim Saturday’s Ladbrokes Blended Multi Handicap (1600m).
Sarodec scored a dominant win over 1700m at Warrnambool during last month’s carnival before leading and tiring when fifth over 2025m at Cranbourne on May 14.
Freshened, back to 1600m and the addition of a norton bit worked wonders for Sarodec ($19) who held off Literati ($10) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Reliable Dude ($26) the same margin away in third place.
Holland said he went out on Saturday with an open mind saying that if something wanted to lead, he would have taken the sit.
“He won really well at Warrnambool then last start he didn’t quite run the trip and over-raced,” Holland said.
“Richie has done a good job and found the right race today. He chucked the norton bit on and I was able to rate him in front how I pleased.
“Getting down the hill I was very confident as I had a lapful of horse. I tried to pinch two lengths then balance him up and went again.
“He was really tough to the line.”
Holland said it was great to ride a winner for Laming after the trainer had the misfortune of losing Ronniejay at Swan Hill on Friday.
“He had a bit of bad lucky yesterday at Swan Hill with his horse falling at the top of the straight, so it is good for him to get a winner,” Holland said.
