Recent stable acquisition Lady Moana (NZ) (Ocean Park) was swift in putting up a winning performance for Clinton Isdale, breaking her maiden stylishly at Waverley on Sunday.
A filly by Ocean Park, Lady Moana was positively out of the gates in the 1200m contest under Leah Hemi, who allowed her to find her feet midfield and one-off the rail. Turning for home, the perfect gap opened for Hemi and Lady Moana started to let down strongly, eventually coming out on top in a tight two-way go to the line with a game Hokitika Bell (NZ) (Belardo).
Formerly prepared by Ben and Ryan Foote at Cambridge, it was the recommendation of the former to send Lady Moana to the smaller environment of Isdale’s, a decision that has paid dividends for her connections.
“It was a good win,” Isdale said.
“She came to me from Ben Foote and he had a big opinion of her, but he felt she would suit a smaller stable and convinced the owners to let me train her.
“I didn’t really know what to expect really, I hadn’t given her a proper gallop since she arrived three or four weeks ago as I’ve just been swimming her and trying to change a few things up.
“I said to Leah just ride her how she jumps, I think her best run prior had been sitting three-deep the trip so she probably appreciated being on the outside of horses.
“I’ll give her a week off out in the paddock to get some weight back on her, she’s only a fine little thing. After that, I’ll just look for a nice 65 somewhere.”
Isdale will have three representatives at the final meeting of the season on Wednesday at Tauranga, with consistent filly Impressive Belle (Press Statement) due a winning turn after a trio of placings since joining his stable.
“It looks to map out perfectly and be her race on paper, her last run was very encouraging and she’s done nothing but put her hand up in the three runs she’s had for me,” Isdale said.
“She’s a nice, honest horse.”
The daughter of Press Statement will contest the Ultimate Mazda Maiden 3YO (1200m), while stablemate Storms Ahead (NZ) (Astern) lines up in the Back To Black Maiden 2100.
“I thought he could win that last race in the amateurs, but being a three-year-old, I don’t think he handled carrying the big weight,” Isdale said.
“He had a horse outside of him annoying him the whole race as well and didn’t allow him to get into a rhythm, but I think we’ll see a different horse on Wednesday.”
A four-year-old by Belardo, Stone Of Destiny (NZ) will start on debut in the Aztech Signs Maiden (1400m) after joining Isdale earlier this month.
“I thought I’d put him in as he’ll get a wet track which the Belardo’s seem to love,” he said. “I haven’t taken him for many gallops, just three-quarter pace so it’ll be a learning run for both him and us.”
