It was a sensational return to WA racing today for boom five year old Luckygray – with a commanding victory in the WFA Group 2 WAROA Lee Steere Stakes 1400m.
Returning from an uneventful Melbourne campaign, which saw the horse struggle with heavy tracks and illness, Luckygray ($2.05 fav) was back to its devastating best today – coming from near last on the turn to circle the field in what was one of the most miraculous come from behind wins we have seen in some time at Ascot.
Westriver Kevydonn ($8.50) surged to the early lead as expected from barrier eight, with Mabel Grace ($20.00) and Zester ($26.00) in hot pursuit. Jockey Shaun O’Donnell elected to drop Luckgray to the rear of proceedings, and seemed to struggle to stay in touch with the lightning pace set. Passing the 400m mark, the Bradbury’s Luck gelding was still eighth and with a wall of horses in front of it. With a handful of reigns, O’Donnell peeled Luckgray wide at the top of the straight and asked his mount for a final effort. And what an effort it was – in a blink of an eye Luckygray stormed down the middle of the track engulfing all opponents in what can only be described as a landslide victory.
God Has Spoken ($51.00) finished off well from mid-field two lengths away in second, with Karrakatta victor Luke’s Luck ($4.40) also coming from well back to snatch third – a further ¼ length adrift.
Such was the win that trainer Gino Poletti now has to decide whether to aim for back to back Railway Stakes (1600m) victories, or to target the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) which could see a long awaited showdown with the undefeated Barakey.
Chris Blackwell
www.ozracing.com.au