Flashy frontrunner Pilote D’essai takes out the Ballarat Cup
A SENSATIONAL front-running ride from a wide barrier has seen British import Pilote D’essai win the 2016 Ballarat Cup at $16 at Sportsbet.com.au
Pilote D’Essai jumped brilliantly from the barrier 19, prompting jockey Regan Bayliss to steer the gelding to the top of the field where he was never headed, recording an eye catching victory ahead of Scherzoso ($5.80 place return at WilliamHill.com.au) and Manageress ($5.90 at Sportsbet.com.au).
It was the five-year-old’s first race win since March of this year.
Pre-race favourite Cool Chap’s change of tactics to race mid-field did not pay dividends as the four-year-old failed to bridge the gap on a day that favoured race leaders, finishing back in fifth.
Jockey Regan Bayliss said Pilote D’essai responded perfectly after circling the field early on.
“Today, we were quite adamant we wanted to be positive, just let him flow the whole race and he was having a great time in front,” Bayliss said.
“He gave a really good kick and toughed it out and showed us all the ability he’s really got.”
The Cup win was Pilote D’Essai’s fifth win and second since coming to Australia in 2015, and co-trainer Tom Dabernig said the team was ‘thrilled’ with the performance from the UK import.
“He was really solid and tough … first time at the trip, today we drew the wide gate and our hand was forced to go forward,” Dabernig said.
“We didn’t expect him to lead but he got there quite easily and these imports, we’ve seen them right throughout the spring if they sit on the pace and get into a rhythm they can take a lot of catching.”
The Ballarat Cup run was Pilote D’Essai’s sixth run since the beginning of August and Dabernig confirmed the gelding will sit the summer out.
“We’ll probably just back off him and have him for the autumn now and hopefully for spring next year.”