Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Honest performer Lamandier ended a losing sequence of twelve when he sustained a spirited three-wide burst from eleventh and last at the 950m mark to get up and win the 2130m Trotsynd Group 1 Winners Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Driven in fine style by Maddison Brown and a $22 chance from the outside barrier (No. 9), the Michael Young-trained six-year-old settled down at the rear before Brown sent him forward, three wide, approaching the bell, with the $1.38 favourite Dark Eyes setting a solid pace.
After a third quarter of 29.2sc., the final 400m was covered in 28.7sec. when Dark Eyes failed to hold out the strong-finishing Lamandier and was beaten by a half-length, with the winner rating a smart 1.55.4.
“The lead time (35.9sec.) and the first quarter (29.6sec.) were pretty solid, so I decided to take off at the bell,” said Brown.
The Victorian-bred Lamandier is by Somebeachsomewhere and is the second foal out of the Art Major mare Champagne Dreams, who raced 45 times for ten wins, 13 placings and $60,917.
Lamandier has earned $128,570 from 13 wins and 23 placings from 75 starts. He won at three of his 15 Victorian starts, at three of his five Queensland appearances and his WA 55 starts have produced seven wins and 19 placings.
“Lamandier is a battler who goes around every week,” said Young. “He went really well last week and was unlucky not to have run second (when blocked for a run and finish fifth behind Bellezza Nera).”