In Brief
- Le Cadeau has done a treat since his debut win.
- Extra distance should not be a bother.
- Gaffney also hoping Upwind can make amends for luckless first-up fourth.
Trainer Leanne Gaffney says her two-year-old Le Cadeau has thrived since he scored a game win on debut in the first two-year-old race of the season in Launceston three weeks ago.
Le Cadeau was impressive in winning the 2YO maiden over 800 metres and while he steps up to 1120 metres on Wednesday night his trainer believes it won’t impact on his performance.
“Le Cadeau has trained on really well since his win and we couldn’t be happier with him,” Gaffney said.
“I believe he should handle the extra distance well because he won’t have to be bustled so much early.
“The outside gate isn’t ideal but at least Craig (Newitt) will have the opportunity to wait and decide whether he goes forward or drops back to take a sit.”
Gaffney says the gelding’s coat has improved enormously this past fortnight and that he will present a much better-looking horse in the mounting yard on Wednesday night.
“He is a very happy horse and he is in top order, health-wise, so we are expecting him to be very competitive.”
Gaffney also is expecting a forward showing from her lightly raced three-year-old gelding Upwind that was a heavily backed beaten favourite at his first run back from a spell in Launceston two weeks ago.
“Upwind didn’t have much luck at his first run back from a spell but with luck on his side in a maiden over 1420 metres on Wednesday night he should be very hard to beat.”
Upwind also has drawn an outside barrier (10) but Gaffney doesn’t think it is too big an issue.
Watch Le Cadeau win the first 2YO race of the season in Launceston on 20 November.