Le Gai Soleil (NZ) (Tavistock) overcame a wide barrier and damp conditions on Saturday to win the Sharp Extensive IT Handicap (1300m) at Randwick.
The five-year-old mare was resuming in Soft5 conditions after last being seen in the spring, with a trial win in January indicating she was on track for a strong showing.
While trainer John O’Shea was concerned about the barrier after drawing the widest gate in the 10-horse field, he felt the rain would only aide her chances.
“I was confident she could run well,” he said. “I was just concerned about where she had drawn and how far she would have to get off them.
“I think to be fair when the rain came it enhanced her chances.”
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, La Gai Soleil settled at the rear of the field with all bar one in front of her. McEvoy allowed her to roll along and peeled off the fence coming into the turn, pressing the button once they hit the straight. The daughter of Tavistock responded with a resounding turn of foot, going on to down her rivals by 1.4L.
O’Shea said Le Gai Soleil had presented a more mature horse, benefiting from a spell, and gave her owners credit for their patience.
“When she was four off turning for home obviously she was going to be hard to hold out,” O’Shea said.
“She has done very well since her spell, she has developed and strengthened and appreciated the time we have taken with her.
“It’s great Simon and the team at Blanford have allowed us to be patient with her and I think they have got themselves a good horse.”
O’Shea is now eyeing bigger targets with the well-related mare who took her record to six wins and over A$197,000 in stakes with the victory.
“She has always had a good record but she has just gone to another level this time,” he said. “We will go on to the Aspiration (Gr.3, 1600m) in three weeks at Randwick and there’s some chance we might pick up a bit of black-type.”
McEvoy shared O’Shea’s reservations about the wide barrier but was given a confidence boost by a strong trial leading into the race.
“I was a little worried about the draw but at the same time I have only had one ride on her in a trial here 10 days ago and gee she trialled well from the back of the field,” he said. “I was pretty happy when I got off her and said she was going well and she showed that there today.
“I was able to be negative there in the gate, I was lucky they went a bit of a pace. They rolled a bit quicker than what it looked on paper.
“She got there quite quickly. She had the race won and she’s a smart mare.”
Le Gai Soleil is a half-sister to triple Group One winner Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman) with her Kiwi breeders Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge remaining in the ownership.
The final crop by the late Tavistock will go under the hammer at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales with the former Cambridge Stud resident being represented by 15 yearlings in Book 1 and one in Book 2.
