WYONG trainer Damien Lane was the least surprised when Red Cobra struck at Kembla Grange on Thursday in a $61 upset.
The rank outsider of the field, the Sebring five-year-old had fortune on his side thrice as he arrived not only in the nick of time to snatch the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1200m) on the post, but that was the last race held as the remaining five races were called off because of dangerously strong winds.
Additionally, runner-up Mogul Monarch’s rider Jay Ford told RacingNSW stewards a strong gust of wind forced his mount to be shifted in near the 400m, obliging him to correct the gelding.
Lane spoke with winning jockey Reece Jones earlier in the day, and told him he felt Red Cobra could run well fresh.
“I thought he was a $10 or $12 chance, and not a $50 chance,” Lane said.
“The distance (1200m) is usually a bit sharp for him, and I tried something different.
“I didn’t trial him this time, and it worked.
“He usually races well fresh, and should have won at his first run last preparation in March when he ran fourth (beaten only a half-length) in a Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).
“Red Cobra has run fourth at each of his first runs back at three of his last four preparations.
“Even though he races well at home, he is definitely better on the bigger tracks as he showed in this win.
“Red Cobra has a good turn of foot, and it’s great to get another win with him as he is raced by a great group of owners.
“They have been with me for a long-time, and raced horses such as Choice Larga and Another Larga (who won 15 races between them).”
Red Cobra settled a clear last at Kembla Grange after being slow to begin, and Jones cut the corner on the home turn, but then had trouble securing a clear run on him for some distance after straightening.
When eventually into the open, he sprouted wings and virtually came from nowhere to grab fellow Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s Mogul Monarch ($3.70) on the line.
A $30,000 2021 Inglis Classic yearling sale buy, Red Cobra has now twice and been placed on seven occasions, and earned just over $93,000.
Provincial stables won both races at Kembla, as Royal Randwick trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton’s second yard at Hawkesbury picked up the opening race with Interjection ($3 favorite).
Given a perfect ride by Tommy Berry, the Too Darn Hot three-year-old always travelled like a winner in the Class 1 Handicap (1500m), and clinched back-to-back victories, having broken through in a Newcastle Maiden (1350m) on September 3.
Interjection was also an Inglis Classic yearling purchase, but at $210,000 in 2023. He was the Hawkesbury training base’s 16th winner so far this month.
. Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees won two races at Thursday’s Kempsey meeting.
He scored with hotpot Exceedaqa ($1.70) in the Maiden Plate (1250m), and $16 chance Extessive in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1250m).
Stable apprentice Ben Osmond rode both winners.
Story John Curtis, September 19, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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