DARREN Weir has a message for the three remaining slot holders in The Everest — don’t forget Voodoo Lad after he took out the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
“There would be worse horses than him I reckon,” Weir said.
MOODY’S CHEER FOR WINX TO SET RECORD
It was another day of Weir domination with the master trainer winning seven races — four of them at Flemington, including Choisborder, The Statesman and Theanswermyfriend.
Weir also trained winners at Morphettville, Newcastle and Moe.
Weir said he wasn’t certain what path Voodoo Lad would follow.
He suggested Voodoo Lad could try to make amends in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, where he finished an unlucky fourth last year.
“There’s other options, I’ve got a bit to think about,” he said. “The Gilgai Stakes back here or the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on the same day as The Everest.”
Voodoo Lad has had three starts this campaign for a first-up win in the Sir John Monash Stakes and a second behind Vega Magic in the Bletchingly Stakes, before Saturday’s win.
Voodoo Lad was the recipient of a brilliant ride from Damien Oliver who made the most of a rare opportunity to ride for Weir.
Voodoo Lad ($ 4.60) settled last and Oliver trekked a path down the middle of the track on the inside of his rivals but had to work to grab Home Of The Brave, who led and had dashed clear.
Voodoo Lad drew away to defeat Home Of The Brave ($ 3.90) by three quarters of a length with Brave Song ($ 4) a length-and-a-half away third.
Oliver said he followed Weir’s instructions to a tee with the key being to ride the horse negatively in the early stages.
“They didn’t go that hard but Darren’s focus was to get him to switch off and relax and then use his turn of foot,” Oliver said.
Oliver said when Voodoo Lad got to Home Of The Brave the other horse kicked back but in the finish he drew away nicely.
“He’s got an exceptional last 400m when he switches off,” Oliver said.
He said when Weir started out training he used to ride a lot for him but now he was happy to get the “odd breadcrumb” knowing he had his team of regular jockeys.
James Cummings’ assistant trainer Reg Fleming said Home Of The Brave would take great benefit from his Australian debut.
Jockey Damian Lane described the performance as a good, tough effort.
TAB BETTING REVIEW
FLEMINGTON
RACE 1
Punters were able to pick the winner in a very open first race at Flemington. With five runners between $ 4 and $ 6, the best backed Jaameh ($ 6) was too good. My Nordic Hero, who had firmed on race day from $ 12 to $ 4.80, finished second, with no third dividend for Kilimanjaro.
RACE 2
One of the best backed runners of the day Prezado ($ 2.30) was defeated by Bandipur ($ 4.80).
There were several late bets for Prezado, including a $ 10,000 wager. Second favourite Invincible Al ($ 4.60) grabbed third place.
RACE 3
It was a good result for the bookies as roughie Crockett ($ 23) scorched down the outside.
The Regan Bayliss ridden gelding drifted from $ 16 to $ 23 today. The $ 4 favourite O’Tauto was second with the third best backed Muswellbrook ($ 5.50) third.
RACE 4
The $ 5 second favourite Spanner Head, who was a slight firmer today, was victorious. Half of the market was on Harmattan but the mare never looked likely and finished out of the placings. Roughies Violent Snow ($ 16) and Chiavari ($ 19) finished second and third.
RACE 5
The best backed runner of the day Gold Mag ($ 1.95) was beaten by $ 10 chance Choisbroder. The Darren Weir-trained gelding was the big firmer in the race from $ 19 to $ 10 on race day. There was a big dividend for third from The Card Players ($ 51).
RACE 6
The punters were on the money with The Statesman ($ 7) getting past the post first. The Darren Weir trained gelding held over double any other runner in the race. Fontein Lad ($ 14) finished second and I Boogi ($ 19) third.
RACE 7
Punters were on the money in the feature race with the best backed runner Voodoo Lad ($ 5) victorious. The gelding defied a drift from $ 3.70 to $ 5 to win the race from Brave Song ($ 4) and I Am A Star ($ 13).
RACE 8
The second and third best backed runners fought out a great contest down the Flemington straight with Theanswermyfriend ($ 7) holding on from Nights Watch ($ 6). The well supported Moss N Dale finished unplaced with Odeon ($ 15) finishing third.
RACE 9
The late firmer Sikandarabad ($ 4.20) got the job done in the lucky last in a tight finish. The fourth best backed runner shortened from $ 5 to $ 4.20 and won ahead of Al Galayel ($ 4.60) and the heavily backed favourite Mantastic ($ 2.70).
