Avdulla lifts Deficit to victory in The Wave
In typically humble fashion, Brenton Avdulla put his supreme riding skills down to “a bit of luck” on his way to winning The Wave aboard Deficit on the Gold Coast.
The four-year-old took advantage of a slight opening to muscle his way past runner-up Ashgrove late on the straight and win by a neck.
“He presented at the right time. He just needed an ounce of luck to get out,” Avdulla told Sky Racing.
“He got his way out and he made the most of it.”
Deficit’s patience also played a big part in him saluting in the restricted weight-for-age feature for three and four-year-olds, and worth $250,000.
The gelding had to wait 300m for his opening, before pouncing on it and saluting for Stirling Alexiou & Gerald Ryan.
“He just bided his time on the straight and got out at the right time,” Alexiou said.
“I was praying he wouldn’t go up on the inside.
“But he (Avdulla) pulled the right reign late.”
Deficit’s past three victories have all come in the Sunshine State.
“Great for this horse to get another win. Strangely his past three wins have come up here,” Alexiou said.
“I think he loves the sun up here, and been afforded three very good rides the past three times he’s been up here.”
Ryan and Alexiou had been targeting the quarter-million riches on offer in this race since the final run of his last preparation – a win over 1825m at Eagle Farm on August 13.
“In this sort of race, this horse wouldn’t be afforded to run for this sort of prizemoney very often,” Alexiou said.
“Obviously it’s a restricted race, but we targeted this race ever since he went out last preparation.
“And he’s come good on the right day.”