Some 240 days have passed since Andi’s Boy completed his maiden victory, over 1500m, but jockey Jason Whiting gave him every chance for an overdue second win in the Stayers Handicap (2000m) and he didn’t disappoint.
Trainer Elva van Merwyk said she had used a lugging bit on the gelding because he had a tendency to hang- in in his races.
“He ran second last start over 2000m at Pinjarra and almost pulled Kyra Yuill’s arms off,” the trainer said.
Certainly Whiting had an easier time of it and when surged forward at the 250m of the race Andi’s Boy was too strong for Bonny Zara and Friar’s Luck.
The five year old may have found his distance in the longer races and should add to his two wins and 10 places from 28 starts.
MENDICITY TOO STRONG; TENACIOUS TAYLOR JUSTIFIED
Apprentice Chris Parnham made trainer Jim Taylor happy when he closeted Mendicity away on the fence early in the Irish day Handicap (1300m).
Taylor would not have a bar of the proposition, by one of Mendicity’s owners, that the mare should lead.
“I definitely wanted a sit with that strong breeze coming at them down the back,” the astute trainer said.
Parnham complied perfectly only angling off the fence on the turn, from fifth,and overpowered Stagnite and the pacemaker and stablemate, Full Clip, in the run home.
Mendicity had been a runner-up in two of her last three races and has now won five races with 11 placings from her 27 starts. All her previous wins were over 1200m.
DOUBLE FOR CHRIS PARNHAM
Chris Parnham made it a back-to-back double when he won on Magnus Missile in the sixth race, over 1200m.
Trained by his father, Neville, the mare has now won both of her starts this preparation after coming back from a six month spell.
The 13 times premiership trainer said the now four year old had lost her three year old season due to injury.
“She has a lot of potential and appears to be coping well now. Her first up win on September 3 was solid and she won well today.
She came home well from behind the first three on the turn.”
Magnus Missile wore down Oakhurst Flyer to win going away with Need A Lift, running on late, in third place.
by John Elsegood