Rank outsider Lovelock (NZ) (Sacred Falls) turned the formbook upside down when he bolted away with the Riverton Rural Transport Highway Stakes (2147m), the feature flat event at Riverton on Easter Monday.
The five-year-old son of Sacred Falls had finished an inglorious last over 1600m on Saturday and punters were prepared to discard his chances two days later, sending him out at odds of $39.20 on the tote in the nine-horse field.
A change of tactics from rider Lee Callaway saw the Jim Curran-trained galloper sent straight to the front where he maintained a strong gallop throughout.
Challenged by Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) at the 600m, Lovelock shook off that runner rounding the home bend and with Callaway riding confidently he powered away to win by a healthy six-length margin from the well favoured The Tui Toiler (NZ) (Highly Recommended) ($2.30) and Humbucker ($7.80) who battled on gamely for third.
Curran admitted he was left scratching his head after the first day effort but was prepared to give his charge another chance if he could get his own way in front.
“He is a moody bugger who sulks when things don’t go his way,” Curran said.
“We had planned to go to the front with him on Saturday but over the mile there was just too much pressure on to get there.
“I thought the extra distance would help and Lee said he was really confident once they had gone past the post the first time as he was just loving it out in front.
“He’s never been tested on a wet track and after Saturday I still didn’t know much but he handled it very well and there could be more in store for him if he can keep going like that.”
Despite the $39 dividend Curran stuck to his normal pattern with just a $10 each way bet on the horse.
“I never spend much and just had my usual $10 each way,” he said.
“You’d probably go broke backing him and after Saturday it was two-minute noodles for dinner although I might lift my sights now.
“If he can hold his form then we might take a look at the Wairio Cup on his home track (Ascot Park) in early May.”
Out of the Zabeel mare La Zeel (NZ), who won nine races in Australia and was placed in stakes company, Lovelock has now won three of his 17 starts for Curran and his wife Gay.
