Trainer John O’Shea enjoyed a bumper day at Randwick on Saturday, sending out a treble.
But while a Group Three win with All Hallows’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and a handicap victory with Rocha Clock (Pierro) would have been satisfying, none of the winners on the Randwick card were more impressive than Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto) taking out the Fujitsu General Sprint (1200m).
Lumping equal topweight, the four-year-old gelding cruised to a four-length victory under a front-running James McDonald ride in 1:08.75.
Lost And Running has now won five of his six starts, with his only defeat coming at his previous start when second at Canterbury.
“I just really believe in him and I understood why he got beaten the other day,” O’Shea said.
“If he gets the scenario that we saw perpetuate today where he gets into that rhythm, he’s a serious horse.
“He’s given the clock a good nudge today and Mac (James McDonald) just shut him down nicely and gave him an easy time to the line. We’ve got the utmost belief in this horse and every time I’ve asked him a question he’s just delivered.”
O’Shea said the gelding would likely have another run in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on May 15, a meeting that is traditionally run at Scone during non-Covid times.
“If you go through it, and I am a great believer in history, horses like Trekking won it and went on to make a really good horse and I think this horse is a serious weight-for-age horse in the making as a 1200-1400m horse.
“Today, in what was a very good field, he made them look second rate. He keeps answering all the questions we ask of him. I think if he was to win at Rosehill he will legitimately be a contender for the major sprint races in the spring.”
Lost And Running was bred by JML Bloodstock’s Lib Petagna, who retains an interest in the impressive galloper, who races in the colours of owner Carl Holt, with partners including Frank and Christine Cook and O’Shea’s wife Isabel.
Lost And Running is by Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto, with the proven son of Street Cry set to stand for $25,000 + gst (LFG) in the new breeding season.
