Group 1 winner Tuvalu etched his name into the annals of the Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool, showcasing a blend of audacious riding and strategic training that resonated with racing aficionados.
Traversing the track burdened with a hefty 61.5kg, Tuvalu set a new record for the highest weight carried by a Wangoom champion.
The blueprint for success commenced with trainer Lindsey Smith’s meticulous preparations, strategically priming the 2022 Toorak Handicap (1600m) champion for his first-up challenge in the esteemed $200,000 race.
Jockey Fred Kersley executed the second phase flawlessly, embarking on a daring endeavour to seize and maintain the lead from the onset—an approach fully endorsed by Smith in pre-race discussions.
Kersley’s unwavering determination saw him swiftly claim the lead at the 600-metre mark, deftly navigating Tuvalu to the fence before surging three lengths clear upon entering the final turn.
2024 Listed Wangoom Handicap Replay – Tuvalu
In the aftermath of their triumph, Kersley lauded Smith’s adept training regimen, acknowledging, “We know his best distance is 1400m to a mile and although he’s a Group 1 winner, he had to give seven kilos to some smart sprinters.”
Reflecting on the strategic guidance provided pre-race, Kersley credited form analyst Julian Vallance.
“He’s a tough horse. Sure, the rail is the place to be, but he had to do it out of his comfort zone and I didn’t want to hinder his momentum. He’s a tough bugger.
“I wanted to keep the momentum up and keep him flowing. It was a master plan by Lindsey, and the ride was okay, but the training performance was better,” Kersley added, underscoring the collaborative effort between horse and trainer.
Smith, shedding light on his adapted training approach, revealed, “I’ve been trying to win a good race with Fred as he’s a good-quality rider,” expressing his long-standing ambition to clinch victory in the race since his relocation to Warrnambool five years prior.
Looking ahead, Smith outlined Tuvalu’s next venture, indicating a journey to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival, with Chris Munce poised to assume the reins as trainer—an exciting progression in Tuvalu’s illustrious racing career.
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