Talented galloper Louisville (NZ) (Redwood) notched his third career victory when successful over 1800m at Rosehill on Saturday, much to the delight of favourite backers.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Redwood had started firm in the market at his previous three outings when finishing second on each occasion, having commenced his campaign with a win at Canterbury.
Punters stuck fat with the five-year-old gelding who was sent out the $2.40 elect and confidence was bolstered as soon as the handy galloper was able to take a more forward position in midfield from barrier one under jockey Sam Clipperton.
“It was just a matter of navigating a path and presenting him at the right time. The step up in distance certainly assisted and the nice draw helped,” Clipperton said.
“He has been racing very well but has been the victim of wide draws. It was nice to be able to utilise the soft draw today.
“I had to navigate him into the clear and he got to the front too soon, with relative ease.
“It was just a matter of him lacking confidence. He didn’t quite know how to put them away, but it felt like he still had a bit there.
“He won very well first-up and put another win on the board today and that will do his confidence the world of good.
“He is a talented horse; he’s just got a few creases that needed to be ironed out and fortunately I could iron them out today.”
Clipperton is confident that Louisville will be suited over slightly further.
“He relaxes very well,” Clipperton said. “He is very economical within himself, and he doesn’t burn any excess fuel. The way that he was to the line and through the line would suggest that 2000m would probably be a bit of a sweet spot for him.”
Bred and raced by Gerry Harvey, Louisville is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood and is out of the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Edie, who is in turn out of Melbourne Cup winning heroine Jezabeel (NZ) (Zabeel).
Louisville was placed on three occasions in New Zealand when trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy at Byerley Park and transferred to Waller after being narrowly defeated by quality mare It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose).
Redwood will be represented by 14 yearlings at the forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka, with two in Book 1 and 12 in Book 2.
