Voodoo Lad has continued his winning run of form in the Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley this afternoon.
Voodoo Lad claimed a second-consecutive black type win in this afternoon’s Chandler Macleod Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Voodoo Lad heralded plenty of interest in the hours leading up to jump this afternoon, but appeared all but out of contention when he completely bombed the start and was forced to settle at the rear of the fourteen-strong field.
Passing Shot, Tudor and Rich Jack set a reasonable tempo from the outset, but jockey Chris Parnham elected to peel Voodoo Lad to the outside of the field rounding onto the final straight; a decision that proved decisive when the horse mustered an incredible turn of foot; completely swallowing the talent-rich field.
Parnham conceded that he did not think Voodoo Lad could win the Chandler Macleod Stakes after missing the start, but was particularly impressed with the way the horse worked himself back into contention.
“I thought ‘what is Weiry (trainer Darren Weir) going to say,” Parnham said after winning the race.
“I’d probably have to give my ride a two out of ten for that, it was pretty ordinary but he’s a top-liner this horse, I think he’s the next big thing.
“He has obviously proven there he can sit back, he can sit on pace. He relaxed a lot better today and I haven’t had a horse let down for me like that ever.
“I couldn’t believe it. When I was coming to the 400m I thought he was going to fly home and run mid-field. When I pulled him out I thought he might run a place, but then he just ran past them!
“The best is yet to come with this horse. There’s plenty of improvement left in him and Darren’s done a fantastic job with him.”
Stable representative for Weir, Jeremy Rogers told the media that he had started focusing on stable mate Sebring Sun after Voodoo Lad had missed the start in the Chandler Macleod Stakes.
“Obviously we thought he’d be a lot closer in the run and when he was slow out, I just thought well that is our day today!”
“I ended up watching Sebring Sun and coming to the turn I thought that he was looking good, and then I looked to see where the other horse was and he was flying down the outside!
“We’ll just take him home and see how he does over the next few days before deciding where we go next.”
Voodoo Lad is yet to finish outside the first three through fifteen career starts so far; posting eight wins and a further seven minors.
