Trogir wins in its Victorian debut
FEARS that South Australian raider Trogir couldn’t get the job done in Victoria have been allayed at the first time of asking after taking out a benchmark 64 race at Caulfield.
Under a terrific ride from apprentice Chris Caserta, the $11.30 outsider at Crownbet found a gap at the top of the straight and kicked away sharply to win ahead of Don’t Blush Baby ($3 at William Hill), which flashed home late up the inside to pinch second.
El Rada closed down the outside late but couldn’t make up the requisite ground, rounding out the placings to deliver $2.30 to Sportsbet clients.
The win was all about Trogir though, which took its record to three wins from 12 attempts, and winning jockey Chris Caserta said he was confident that Trogir had the ability to win in metropolitan Melbourne.
“This horse is the sort of horse that goes forward, and when he won in Adelaide two starts back he lead the whole way and kept kicking,” Caserta said.
“I just thought with a bit of speed on, winkers as well back on, so (I thought I would) just take a sit and get him to relax and everything just opened up beautifully.”
It was a hot tempo up front in the race and the early leaders wilted badly as the latter stages of the race unfolded, which suited the horses that were closing in from back in the field.
Caserta said the breakneck speed at the head of affairs helped his Trogir immensely.
“The horse did relax, there was a bit of pace in the race that which my horse as well,” the jockey said.
“Once everything opened up the horse did a great job.”
There was a lack of faith from punters in Trogir coming into its maiden Melbourne performance, but Caserta said that winning trainer Phillip Stokes knew exactly what he was doing.
“Mr Stokes never sends them down here if they don’t have a chance.
“He’s been looked after really well by the team so all credit to them.”