A cracking win for Acorns
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Stathi Katsidis and Bruce McLachlan discuss Acorns win
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Sunshine Coast trainer Bruce McLachlan made it two in a row on Saturday, May 10 at City Pacific Doomben. His win with Moglich (Jason Holder) in the third race, the brisbanetimes.com.au Class 6 Handicap 1200m was followed up by Acorns claiming the next race the Listed XXXX Gold Golden Stakes 2YO Plate 1200m.
The $2.05 race favourite jumped from barrier seven and came out running in the 13-horse field. Acorns sat behind race leader Feline Flyer (Corey Brown), getting to the front in the straight. Youthful Jack (Tony Pattillo) put in a late challenge but settled for second in the photo finish by a half head.
“He got a little bit lost when he straightened up. It was his first time with the blinkers. He won, that’s the main thing,” said McLachlan.
Trainer Gillian Heinrich had three runners and they followed up in third, fourth and fifth. Left Standing NZ (Scott Seamer) was third by three quarters of length, then Feline Flyer by a length, then Tikit to Glory (Glyn Schofield) by a half length.
It was Stathis Katsidis’ first time in the saddle with Acorns (G2 Secret Savings USA-Shouq) and he was happy to get the win. “Got the monkey off the back. I’ve only had about half a dozen rides since I’ve been back and had I been beat I suppose it wouldn’t have helped the confidence much for next week. But I’m there now and I’ve got a few good rides next week,” he said.
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Acorns (Stathi Katsidis) triumphantly bring it home (Noel Pascoe photos)
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It was also the first time Acorns had blinkers on and this was the focus of much debate. “He’s a pretty confusing horse. Jason Taylor’s rode him and said he’s got very good ability but he’s been getting lost in his races. They thought the blinkers would sharpen him up today. I suppose when he’s just at his normal speed but when he hit the front there normally a horse with blinkers they’ll go away but he wanted to look and maybe they were a hindrance to him not being able to see that other horse for a while so Bruce doesn’t know whether to leave them on or take them off or what to do with him,” said Katsidis.
“We probably went a little bit slow and I did toss up whether to go round and leave that horse, it was probably a bit slower than I would have liked and that’s why I applied the pressure a bit early. He needed the run today the horse, so next time he should improve.”
McLachlan also strongly believes the gelding will improve with each run as he furthers his Winter Carnival campaign. Acorns has garnered $166,100 in prizemoney with three wins from just five starts. This being his second Listed win after nabbing the J.F. Meynink Stakes in early March.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – May 12
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