Solar Rule made his racing debut in style with an impressive win over the previously unbeaten Leonorasensation in the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1400m).
Top jockey William Pike was happy enough to surrender the lead to the ghostly grey, Jungle Mak, before claiming that galloper at the 150m. Jungle Mak held on for third.
Pike was momentarily concerned that Leonorasensation, coming from near the rear, was going to run over the top of his gelding.
”I thought his race fitness might prove the better but my bloke responded when I got into him and fought on well.”
Solar Rule’s win prevented Leonorasensation from claiming a hat-trick.
With trainer Darren McAuliffe in Kalgoorlie his stable foreman Geoff van de Molen said that although Solar Rule was well regarded the win was unexpected against top opposition.
“He is certainly better than average and that is why Darren started him first up in a Saturday race rather than take an easier path.”
Another new galloper, Fire Born, having her second race start, won the 1000m second race by jumping well and leading throughout-just the way trainer Paul Jordan likes them to race.
Jockey Craig Staples had finished last in the first race but never gave then a look-in in this race and Fire Born destroyed the opposition, in the run to the post, winning in a time of 57.79secs
Oradol and Kennocha filled the places.
by John Elsegood