Voodoo Lad claims Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes

Premiership winning trainer Darren Weir wrapped up Caulfield Cup Day with a winning double with Voodoo Lad taking out the last race on the ten race program, the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Voodoo Lad above winning the Regal Roller Stakes in August, added another win to to his tally in the Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Voodoo Lad above winning the Regal Roller Stakes in August, added another win to to his tally in the Ladbrokes Moonga Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Weir saddled up the first winner on the card with Jennifer Lynn and Voodoo Lad looked the winner in the last a long way from home.

Voodoo Lad was dropping back in class from a last start second to Bon Aurum in the Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24 and was subsequently sent out as the $2.50 favourite.

Winning jockey Brad Rawiller gave the favourite followers no reason for concern at any stage of the race and even though Voodoo Lad was three wide coming down the side, he was travelling easily.

Rawiller let the big bay slide up outside the leaders on the home turn and then he raced away to score a clear cut one and a half lengths win over the unlucky Takedown ($4) who was held up for a run at a crucial stage in the straight.

Third placegetter Turnitaround put plenty of value into the trifecta and first four dividends after being sent out at the huge odds of $151.

Weir would like to give Voodoo Lad another chance at winning a Group 1 race but said he would be reluctant to step him up to 1600m and might have a look at something over the Perth Summer Carnival.

“He deserves to have another crack at a Group 1. He was probably a little unlucky in the Rupert Clarke, he should have finished a bit closer,” Weir said.

“I am not sure with him at a mile (1600m) but Perth maybe an option.”

The Group 1 $1m Winterbottom Stakes over 1200m is run at Perth’s Ascot racecourse on November 26.

Voodoo Lad was having his ninth start this campaign and has been racing since scoring a first up win at Warrnambool in May, the first of five wins this preparation, but Weir said that it has been easy to keep him racing at his peak with plenty of beach work under the guidance of Weir’s foreman Jarrod McLean.

“He was great. He has been a happy horse for quite a while now and we just keep the routine the same with him,” Weir said.

“Jarred looks after him. They just take him down to the beach which really suits him and take him away and give him a gallop or a trial before he races.”

“It just really suits and the horse is in great form and I can’t see why he won’t continue to be in great form.”

 

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.