Rageese books its spot for a Group one tilt
FAITHFUL punters got rewarded on Thursday when Rageese won the L’Oreal Paris Stakes at Flemington on Oaks Day.
The Darren Weir-trained runner finished an unlucky second behind Master Reset last start and punters had backed it early in the week, but it drifted late to $5.60 at Sportsbet.com.au.
The four-year-old settled off the pace which was set by Hooked and it overhauled them in the straight in a quick 1400m time of 1.21:53.
Jockey Damian Lane stated that it didn’t have great gate speed, but the strong tempo up front allowed Rageese to stretch out nicely.
“He was only narrowly defeated by Master Reset who came out and won on Saturday and franked the form, so he’s held his form well,” Lane said.
“He finished great for me. He didn’t have all that much speed from the barriers so I let him relax and find a rhythm.
“To his credit, when I gave him full bore he really hit the line hard.”
Winning trainer Darren Weir has big plans for the classy four-year-old which could include a trip west.
“We’ve been heading towards this race all preparation and hopefully he could perform well today so he books a trip, I guess, across to Perth for the Railway to get his chance in a Group one,” Weir said.
“So the way he went today, hopefully he pulls up well and has a good fortnight so he can head across there.”
Weir isn’t worried about Rageese getting to the 1600m for the Railway Stakes on November 19 at Ascot.
“The way he ran through the line, you’d think if it was the mile it wouldn’t have been a problem. I think if he can switch off and the race is run truly, it won’t be a problem.”
Rageese has firmed into $10 at Sportsbet for the Railway with current favourite Mackintosh at $6.