3 minute read

Debutant Cuaron saluted in impressive fashion in the $75,000 Restricted Maiden race (1200m) on Friday.

The Laurie Laxon-trained galloper was a promising horse in New Zealand though that did not really show in his trackwork, as his race-rider Michael Rodd reported, but thankfully for him and connections, it showed on raceday.

“I had a track gallop on him the other day and he pulled and wasn’t focused,” said Rodd. “So I didn’t know if he would behave himself today but luckily, he did.”

The Ifraaj three-year-old hugged the rails in midfield from the start to be in a decent striking position upon straightening. When a gap came up halfway up the straight, Rodd seized the opportunity and the new Oscar Racing Stable-owned galloper just took off from there.

Second favourite Winning Good (Oscar Chavez) was the only horse to give Cuaron ($24) a bit of a scare towards the end, but as hard as he tried, he could not peg him back. Winning Good, who was at his first start as well, had to settle for second place, another one and three-quarter length back with Terms Of Reference (Barend Vorster) third another half- a-length behind. The winning time was 1min 12.12secs.

Laxon was rather confident his new charge would do well more so when he came as a recommendation from New Zealand trainer Stephen Autridge – the current trainer at the Te Akau Racing Stables.

“He showed a lot of talent in New Zealand and his trainer said he was one of the best three-year-olds there,” said Laxon.

“He’s a lovely horse who’s very athletic and has a wonderful turn of foot.”

Rodd shared similar sentiments with Laxon though he felt that the Oscar Racing Stable-owned runner would need more runs to reach his true potential.

“He has a lot to learn as he’s very green but he bounced out very well, though he went out a bit early,” said the in-form jockey who went on to secure a race-to-race double with the Cliff Brown-trained Laughing Gravy ($11 favourite) in the next race, the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1800m.

“He's an above average horse who comes from a good pedigree, but he will probably need a couple more runs.”