IT TOOK Rangaondarun 26 starts to final break his maiden status but he did it in style at the UBET Racing Centre on Wednesday night.
The Harriet Paul-trained gelding had been competitive at his three most recent outings but had found ways to be beaten.
However, with in-form apprentice Sherry Barr aboard the gelded son of Tough Sped delivered a blood front-running effort to score by almost a length from George’s Gambol with the well-backed favourite Impulsive Lager almost five lengths astern.
Paul said Rangaondarun had been on his “last chance” three times and Wednesday night was potentially to be his swan song.
“I have been at the end of my tether with this horse a number of times and threatened to close the door on his racing career but each time I’ve said it was his last chance he’s put in a decent run,” Paul said.
“But tonight he has really done the right thing and maybe the key is to keep racing him in Launceston because this is where he’s produced his best efforts.”
Rangaondarun led from a wide gate and he was well rated by Bar who is riding in career best form.
When she called on Rangaondarun for the supreme effort when challenged in the home straight he responded well and drew clear of his rivals to go on and score comfortably.
Rangaondarun was bred by Paul from her aged broodmare Alirhap (x Aliocha) who is from the Acidity mare Red Rhapsody.
It was the second leg of a riding double for Barr who also won the opening race on the card aboard the Paul Maher-trained Cuban Missile.