Wild Rain has offered some respite for Mark Kavanagh and family after a difficult week when she outsped her rivals to score at Sandown.
Kavanagh has been before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board defending cobalt charges levelled against him.
Wild Rain
It’s not only been tough for Kavanagh himself, but especially so for wife Isobel who has sat at his side during the hearing.
Isobel shares in the ownership of Wild Rain with son Levi, an assistant to his father who has been granted a trainers’ licence but is yet to have a runner.
“I think Mum will be happy,” Levi said.
“She might even take Dad out for dinner tonight.”
Ridden by Steven Baster, Wild Rain, the $4.20 favourite, took out the Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes, scoring by 1-3/4 lengths from Office Bearer ($9) with Tried And Tired ($12) a half-length away third.
Wild Rain will now chase a bigger prize on the Gold Coast in the Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) on January 9.
Kavanagh said whether the daughter of Manhattan Rain had another run before the Gold Coast race, or was kept up to the mark with trackwork was something that will be worked out by the stable.
But Kavanagh is keen to head north with the mare.
“It’s a million-dollar sprint race, so it’s worth a shot,” he said.
Baster said it was his intention to try to take a sit on the four-year-old but she jumped so well and took him forward.
Wild Rain won in Listed grade in Adelaide in July and in two runs back had finished second on both occasions, the latest when run down late by Murt The Flirt at Ballarat.
Baster said Wild Rain would be much better suited stepping up to 1100m of the Magic Millions.
“They go quicker up there and that will suit her even better,” Baster said.
“She’s got a bit of class and if she could get a sit that would be good.
“She’s very consistent she was just too speedy for them today.”
