Resounding pre-post favourite Rhythm To Spare has overcome wide position rounding the final bend to stroll home and win the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) at South Australia’s Morphettville Racecourse this afternoon.
Rhythm To Spare comfortably wins the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Jenny Barnes
Jumping only fairly, the Pins gelding was forced to settle well within the pack, up to ten lengths off the pace of early leaders Boristar, Streetcar Valour and River’s Lane.
Finding the final straight still five lengths off the pace, Rhythm To Spare appeared out of contention until exploding from the pack, quickly catching leaders Starkiato and Gig; pulling clear to finish more than four lengths in the green.
In claiming the 2014 RA Lee Stakes, Rhythm To Spare has added a six victory over just 15 career starts, which has also included four minor places.
Steadily building to the task this time in, the gelding out of Stanica finished sixth behind in-form sprinter Sistine Demon in the Listed Super Saturday Stakes (1400m) first-up, and while unable to figure in competitive position in either of the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) or Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m), returned to the winner’s circle in the Peter Armytage Handicap (1610m) prior to this afternoon’s impressive performance.
Returning to the impressive form that delivered four wins and a place over the 2013 spring in finishing second in the RA Lee Stakes, Starkiato was disappointing when ninth in the Listed City of Adelaide Handicap (1400m) on April 12th, finishing seventh in a minor event over 1600 metres in his only other start prior to this afternoon.
Offered immense support from punters in the moments leading up for the 2014 RA Lee Stakes, Gig was arguably the most commendable performer over the final straight at Morphettville this afternoon; running on from the rear of the field to finish only a nose off the pace of Starkiato.
