Triumphant comeback to track by Luckygray
Champion galloper Luckygray made a successful return from 12 months out of racing when scoring first-up in the $150,000 Del Basso Smallgoods Roma Cup (1200m).
Starting a $3.10 favourite, Luckygray settled perfectly one-out and one-back in fourth for jockey Shaun O’Donnell.
The triple Group 1 winner was poised to strike early in the straight as Dawn Approach snatched the lead from pacesetter Modello.
Luckygray took a narrow lead over Dawn Approach ($4) in the final 100m and held on, scoring by a neck.
Dawn Approach was game in defeat and Fuchsia Bandana ($5.50) appeared a bit unlucky.
The top mare finished a close third after struggling to obtain clear running throughout most of the straight.
Shining Knight, the $3.50 second favourite, settled last and couldn’t get into the race when running fifth.
Luckygray, a winner of more than $2.67 million in stakes, had been sidelined since last year’s Roma Cup due to a leg injury.
“He’s a superstar horse. He’s just so genuine,” trainer Trevor Andrews said.
“He’s had a long time off and I’ve got a lot of people to thank.
“It’s just gratifying to have him back competing at this level, let alone to win.
“He’s a rare horse.
“He raced a bit fresh early then got into a good spot and got the job done.
“He should derive benefit from it and the next two races will be to his liking, I think.”
Andrews gave Luckygray four months of work and two trials to have him primed for his comeback.
“He showed again what he’s made of,” O’Donnell said.
“I’ve ridden a lot of good horses but there’ll never be another one like him.”
Luckygray, who also won the Roma Cup in 2012, will progress to the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m) over the next month.
Meanwhile, top WA sprinter Black Heart Bart ran an eye-catching fourth to Flamberge in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville today.
Black Heart Bart started favourite but a tardy start proved costly. He was stranded in last position on straightening but picked up good late ground.
WA-owned mare Miss Rose De Lago made a successful debut for Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien. She won the PFD Fresh to Go Handicap (1200m) first-up at Caulfield.
