Two-year-old Power Trip has completed an ideal debut to racing at Flemington this afternoon; producing an impressive start-to-finish performance to take out the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m).
Power Trip (outside) was impressive on debut in the 2015 Maribyrnong Plate. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Craig Williams allowed Power Trip to stride forward and take up the pace on the outside rail, alongside the likes of Valiano and Dalradian.
Receiving a great run in transit on what appears to be the fast side of the track at Flemington this afternoon, Williams waited until there was only 400m to run to ask the Hard Spun gelding for an extra effort, who kicked well enough to withstand a late charge from Flying Artie on the inside rail.
Williams delivered a perfectly-timed performance aboard Power Trip to win the 2015 Maribyrnong Plate and was thrilled with the feel offered up by the two-year-old in his racing debut.
“The plan was actually to get cover on him but he just began so well we had to bite the bullet,” Williams said after crossing the line.
“He’s an exciting horse. Even looking at his replays my manager said you’ll be happy with what you see. To do what he did like that, he’ll be even better in six months.
“He travelled really well. I was on tired legs late but he did enough to hold on.
“Well done for his education and John Mcardle (trainer) for preparing him so well.”
Mcardle was on hand for Power Trip’s impressive performance in the Maribyrnong Plate and revealed he was worried when the horse immediately took up the pace from jump.
“I was very worried because the only thing I said to Craig was you probably want to get him off the speed a bit,” Mcardle said.
“The horse just jumped really well and was just travelling nicely in himself.
“When he got away from the others I thought he might get a little lost here but to both Craig’s and the horse’s credit they stuck to their guns well and there was enough there in the finish.
“I was just happy to see the result.”
Clear race favourite Dalradian appeared to be positioned ideally for a late charge but failed to produce anything of a turn of foot; finishing out of the places.
