In Brief
- First runner as a trainer for Gaeton Delon on Sunday.
- Gamble in Paris appropriately named for the Frenchman.
- 3YO gelding has winning trial form.
MANY punters would have done a double take when they looked at the form guide for the Goodstone Group 3YO Maiden (1150m) in Devonport on Sunday, with the unfamiliar name Gaeton Delon making his first appearance.
The appropriately named Gamble in Paris will give the Wesley Vale based Delon, who was born in France, his first ever runner as a trainer on Sunday.
“It was always the plan for me to train him (Gamble in Paris) but because the paperwork hadn’t been completed to get my trainer’s licence, he had his first start in John’s (Keys) name,” explained Gaeton Delon around the reason for the stable change between runs for the gelding who was unplaced in the 2YO Magic Millions at his only career start.
Gamble in Paris is a half-brother to Amber in Paris that was previously trained by John Keys and named after his daughter Amber who is the fiancée of Delon.
Amber was responsible for the naming of Gamble in Paris with the horse selected by John Keys and Gaeton Delon from the 2018 National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast for the bargain price of $1,500.
Amber in Paris retired a maiden after 11 starts, but Delon is hoping for more success with her half-brother and the horse enters Sunday off a recent trial win where he put a space on his opposition late.
“The trial was pretty good, though three of the horses he was up against were pretty new,” said the trainer.
“The horse stayed strong on the bit all the way (in the trial) so we’re pretty confident but barrier nine is pretty tough for sprint races in Devonport,” added Delon with Sunday’s opposition containing four first starters in the field of 11.
Delon has been around the Tasmanian racing scene for six years as a farrier and his work in that space helped him secure the services of one of the state’s best riders for Sunday.
“I shoe horses for Scott Brunton, so I see David (Pires) every week in Hobart and I’ve been on to him for the last few weeks about taking the ride,” said Delon who will be relying on a good ride from David Pires to overcome the wide draw.
While Gaeton Delon is yet to taste any success as a trainer he was a recent winner as an owner, having a 20 per cent share in O’Lonh Star who was a big priced winner in Devonport a fortnight ago.
“O’Lonh Star is the first horse I ever owned; I’ve got 20 per cent of him with my partner.
“He’s been a good boy for us, he’s won nine races now.”
Watch the replay of Gamble in Paris winning his recent trial in Devonport.