A change of tactics bore fruit for SACRED MISSION as the 4YO led from pillar to post to score his third career win with a dashing display at Doomben.
Having placed at both his previous outings this prep, the son of Sacred Falls had been building towards another win and the bold front-running display in Wednesday’s Class 3 Handicap (1650m) paid rich dividends.
The plan had been for Ryan Maloney to take up the running if possible, and when SACRED MISSION jumped smartly he was able to take command of the race.
SACRED MISSION had several of his rivals off the bit approaching the turn, and when he gave a kick in the straight it was effectively over as a contest.
“We spoke beforehand and felt he hadn’t been suited by the ‘sit and sprint’ in his last race,” said David.
“He’s a very big horse who really needs to stride out, and he wasn’t able to do that last time but today was a different story. The plan was to find the front and get going at the 600-metre mark to make it more of a staying test. It’s nice when a plan comes off, because it certainly doesn’t happen every time!
“He’s a beautiful big horse and he’s a real pleasure to have around the stables. He’s easy to deal with but he went from a maiden to the Derby last prep, and it all came a bit too quick for him. But we’re taking our time with him this prep, and he’s a very happy healthy horse.”
Many congratulations to all the team at Raffles Racing.