Sadler’s Lake all the way winner in Rough Habit Plate

Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller wrapped up an early Doomben double today when Sadler’s Lake led all of the way to win the Group 3 $125,000 Mittys Rough Habit Plate (2000m).

Sadler's Lake led all of the way to win the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Sadler’s Lake led all of the way to win the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Waller had already saddled up Queensland Oaks bound Ballet Suite to win the Listed $100,000 City Property Services Princess Stakes (2000m) and now has a real live chance for the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.

Sadler’s Lake had drawn the outside of the eleven horse Rough Habit Plate field but winning jockey Blake Shinn had no hesitation in taking the High Chaparral gelding straight to the front after shooting out of the gates.

Shinn set up a decent tempo on Sadler’s Lake ($3.60) and after being challenged on the home turn had plenty in reserve to score a comfortable one and three quarter lengths win over the Peter Moody trained Upham ($4.80) with the well backed Jumbo Prince ($3.40 favourite) trying hard in the straight to finish third.

Upham enjoyed a good run in third spot for Kerrin McEvoy while Luke Tarrant settled the Toowoomba trained Jumbo Prince near the tail of the field before swooping out wide approaching the home turn to put in his claim.

Shinn said that had no specific instructions from Waller before the race but when Sadler’s Lake began so well, he let him roll to the lead.

“Chris said leave it up to me. I wasn’t sure what I was going to at the start but when the barriers opened he began positive and just took the race by the scruff of the neck, got a soft run in front and the horse did the rest. It was fantastic,” Shinn said.

“It is a great thrill to win especially for the Ingham’s and Chris Waller.”

“This horse is progressing along nicely. He had to do a bit of work, had a soft run and kicked strongly.”

Today’s win was Sadler’s Lake third from six race starts.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.