WINNING a maiden on his home track at Spreyton was quite an achievement for Tree Bandit although the four-year-old gelding has been promising to deliver for some time.
But the adage “all good things come to those who are patient” rung true when he held on to score from Ace Act and Survivethestrike in a blanket finish.
Despite carrying an “ugly duckling” persona Tree Bandit showed promise from an early age but for a number of reasons he has taken his time to break through.
He was purchased at the 2008 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale for a modest $1600 by Leigh Winwood who races the gelding in partnership with Rodney Abblitt and trainer Darren Kenny.
Tree Bandit was having his 14th start and prior to winning had been placed four times.
Kenny had a pre-race plan that apprentice Rhagan Cross carried out to the letter.
“The plan was to try and set off early and try and catch them napping and that’s how it panned out,” Kenny said.
Tree bandit swept around the field and joined the leaders 400m out and then surged clear. He held on over the concluding stages to score by a neck.