Darley’s Peter Snowden was suffering from a bout of the flu at Warwick Farm on Saturday, but the stable did its best to cheer him up when Soledad and Josh Parr won the $70,000, MC Conners Racing Bm 80 Handicap (1200m) and Kuhreihen and Peter Robl came third.
Soledad and Josh Parr (maroon) hold off Malavio and Nathan Berry (green), picture Sportpix.com.au
Parr rode confidently on Soledad (55.5kg) settling in third place as Number One Gun and Tommy Berry went out to a 2L lead with Green Beret and Christian Reith in attendance. Passing the 300m Number One Gun, the $4.20 favourite, was still in charge, but the strong early pace told with 100m to run and Soledad was there to take over.
Malavio (56kg) (Snitzel) and Nathan Berry chased Soledad and Kuhreihen (54kg) (Commands) and Robl came down the outside of the field, but Parr was in charge up front on Soledad.
The winning margin was a short head with a short half-head between Malavio and Kuhreihen. The time was 1.10.64 which was a new class record on the Slow 6 track which was upgraded to a Dead 5 for the following race. The 600m was covered in 35.47.
Soledad paid $9.60 on NSW TAB.
“Both runs have been good and he just had the gun run today. He stalked the two leaders and he ambushed late,” said Snowden.
“I thought he would win easier than he did but he stuck his head out on the line and that is what counted. He was in the right spot at the right time and I am very happy with the result.
“There is a good future for Kuhreihen, particularly at this time of the year, and when we get to a bit further he will be even better,” he said.
“He jogged up to them quite easily. When I let him have his head he really let down strongly and probably a bit better than what I thought he would off the back of such a hot tempo,” said Parr,
“I think that is what enabled the second and third horse to get so close. I was confident at the line, but I did have it in the back of my mind that Nathan’s horse had momentum, but I am glad I hung on,” he said.
This was Soledad’s second run this campaign after a third first up at Rosehill over 1200m on June 9th. Soledad is by Commands out of the Zabeel mare Del Mar and this was his third win from 10 starts. With four placings he has earned stakes of $142,067 plus BOBS bonus of $20,000 for Saturday’s win.
Snowden’s tonic increased with the following race when Erewhon won the South West Kerbing Bm90 Handicap (1600m) making also for a good day for Commands who sired all three Darley runners.
Picture ATC