Another commanding win by Rampant Lion
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Glen Colless and Rampant Lion mean business as they pass Vietnam on their way to collecting a Listed win (Noel Pascoe photo)
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In-form gelding Rampant Lion didn’t disappoint punters on the weekend adding another win to his board by claiming the Listed Members’ Quality Handicap 1600m at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Glen Colless, the $4.60 favourite showed he was first class pulling away from Vietnam when challenged by the mare in the final hundred metres.
Rampant Lion (G7 Lion Hunter-La Gypsy) crossed the line one and a quarter lengths ahead of Vietnam (Jason Holder) with Daring Fortune (Tony Pattillo) in third place a distant three and a half lengths back.
“I left it up to Glen,” trainer Lindsay Gough said of his plan.
“He is one of those horses that you don’t chase him out of the gates. Anytime we’ve done that he hasn’t finished off his races so we tend to just let him find his own speed.
“I said to Glen don’t bustle him out of the gates, we thought he would find a forward spot anyhow. He led quite comfortably and then a few came around and Glen elected to let them go and from there he got a beautiful run.
“Glen was able to get him away from the fence at the top of the straight and put one around his bum when they straightened to get him going because when he has had a few runs you have to get him rolling a little bit earlier. Although he sprints good he’s not as sharp after he’s had a couple (of runs).
“He toughed it out and was really strong to the line. We were really happy with him, he’s going terrific for us this preparation.”
With all going to well Gough is set to tackle the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (Weight for Age) 1800m on May 3 followed by the Group 1 XXXX Gold Doomben Cup (Weight for Age) 2020m on May 17 with his in-form gelding.
“It’s the acid test and he’s going super so you couldn’t ask for any more this preparation. He’ll be suited at the 1800m and then if he is still going well we’ll run him in the Doomben Cup as well; 2000m is probably his ultimate distance so it is just whether he is suited to weight for age and it is a step up in class,” Gough said.
“Hopefully onwards and upwards.”
Rampant Lion’s 2008 campaign has included four runs for two Listed wins and two seconds.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – April 21
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