The Kelso Wood trained Into The Red was back in winning mode with a surprise first up win in the Listed $100,000 Landfill Logistics Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Doomben today.
Into The Red returns to the winner’s stall in the Ascot Handicap at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Into The Red showed plenty of promise in his three year old season but hasn’t visited the winner’s stall since December 2013 when he won the Listed $100,000 Trade Coast Legal Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben.
Into The Red was having is first start since finishing ninth in a 1350m Handicap at Doomben on February 14 and had some supporters with his price firming in from $21 before he started at $17.
Runner up Bymonashee ($51) finished off the race strongly to make it a long shot quinella but was no match for the winner, finishing two and a half lengths back, while the $3.80 favourite Delactation made up some ground from the back to fill third spot.
The Chris Waller trained three year old Delactation was easy in the betting and after opening at $2.60, drifted out to $3.80 but under the topweight of 59kg, struggled to overhaul the older sprinters.
Delactation was coming off a win against his own age in the Group 2 $500,000 Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on April 11 and his run was full of merit after he had to settle near the tail of the field after being slow out of the barriers from a wide gate.
The Shamardal gelding has been aimed towards the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6 and a huge drop in weight could see him be competitive.
The Liam Birchley trained Cum Dividend was the medium of heavy support in the betting ring and after opening at $13, went to the post as a $7.50 chance.
Hong Kong based jockey Zac Purton gave Cum Dividend a cosy run just behind the pace but once into the clear in the straight failed to run on and the money was left in the bookies’ bags.
