Former Kiwi galloper Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) was a runaway winner of the rescheduled Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Ardrossan had been second emergency for the event which was originally scheduled for the washed-out Randwick meeting last Saturday.
Under a ground-saving Zac Lloyd ride, Saltcoats took full advantage of the rescheduled contest when primed third-up.
“It was a very tidy win,” stable representative Darren Beadman said. “He has got a bit of class about him and drawn the soft gate (1), he was a little bit gassy early, but had an economical run and got all favours in the home straight. He got on the right part of the track and it was a good solid win.
“His two runs this preparation conditioned him up nicely and with these wet tracks around it was nice to be able to get a run into the horse given he will be getting over a bit of ground.”
Saltcoats began his career in the Cambridge stable of Samantha Logan, where his three New Zealand starts produced a win in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and a placing in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m).
He was subsequently sold to a syndicate headed by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, with breeder Lib Petagna retaining a share of the ownership and the consistent five-year-old has now notched four wins and a further eight placings as he advanced his career earnings to A$431,290.
Winning rider Zac Lloyd was grateful to contest the A$160,000 contest on a Wednesday.
“It was pretty easy. He put the writing on the wall last start where he ran really well,” Lloyd said.
“Today was the perfect race. On Saturday morning I was filthy at home because I thought it was the perfect race for him and fortunately it got moved to today and he was able to show what he had.”
Lloyd said that although Saltcoats has now won twice on wet tracks, it was a case of getting through it better than some rivals rather than being a mudlark.
“He has got a lovely action, so you wouldn’t think he would appreciate a wet track, but he’s a Kiwi so he has that advantage on his side,” he said.
“He is just a lovely horse and a pleasure to ride.”
Saltcoats has now gained a berth in the Gr. 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m), which will be contested at Randwick on Saturday week. By Waikato Stud’s highly-promising young sire Ardrossan, Saltcoats is out of the lightly raced Savabeel mare Savanite, a half-sister to the Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Singing Star, who in turn is the dam of Group Three winner Miss Selby.
