There’s no form like good, recent winning form.
It’s an old adage, but it certainly rang true at Flemington on Saturday when Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) stamped himself as a stayer on the up in the Lexus Handicap (2000m).
The Patrick Payne-trained six-year-old had been in action a fortnight earlier at Caulfield’s Boxing Day meeting when he sprang a $31 surprise in the listed Lord Stakes (1700m).
At Caulfield, Defibrillate had been ridden by claiming apprentice Tahlia Hope, but on this occasion Payne’s regular rider, Billy Egan, took over.
Egan was particularly enthused by Defibrillate’s performance, having missed the ride at Caulfield because he had taken a break over the Christmas holidays.
“That is the best he’s ever gone and it’s not the best he’s ever going to go either. He’s on an upward spiral,” Egan said post-race.
“I was having a good Christmas break and I was watching when I was having a bit of lunch and I thought that 56 (kilos) might not have been that hard on Boxing Day when he won. But it’s nice to get back on him and Tahlia did a good job on him last start, too.”
Defibrillate is owned by a group of New Zealand owners including trainer Graham Richardson for whom he won two races from three starts before transferring to Payne.
Defibrillate’s record now stands at seven wins from eleven starts.
