HE
impressed when winning a trial at Rosehill recently in the lead up to this
first run of the preparation at Gosford on Thursday, but the manner in which
Onslaught swept around the top bend travelling three wide before disposing of
his rivals in the straight demonstrated the unquestionable talent the son of
Snitzel possesses, and he enjoyed every second of it.
Having
recently been gelded Onslaught showed a maturity in his running that was
lacking in his two runs of the previous preparation – that was until he
returned to the winners' enclosure grinning from ear to ear and tongue wagging,
clearly pleased with his afternoon's effort.
Prior
to the start Onslaught had worked up a sweat in the parade ring, yet looked
relaxed in the early stages of the race after jumping from barrier eight. Left
on the outside for most of the race, jockey Kerrin McEvoy sought cover in
midfield with Onslaught taking a good hold. McEvoy unleashed the three-year-old
around the top bend to chase after the leaders and, once in front, there was no
catching him as he returned the $3 favourite.
Peter
Snowden aired a quiet confidence before the race, and was encouraged by the
run. "It was a good effort today," he said. "He didn't have the best of runs,
but was strong late and strong through the line. He had a good bit of upside to
him and it was great to win first up today."
Onslaught
was under restraint for much of the race, but the way in which McEvoy allowed him
to make headway on the outside exerted an air of confidence from the jockey,
who knew exactly what he had underneath him, and he suggested there could be
more to come.
"They
went a bit quick for him early and he was left without cover," he said. "But at
the six hundred he came up on the bridle for me and travelled nice and was
smoking into it nicely without asking him much. He got there easy and had a bit
of look around and I think he's got more to give which is exciting. If
something comes at him then hopefully he can find another gear. He's sort of
got there and idled off a bit, so hopefully he's got more to give."
Click here to watch a full replay
of the race.
It's
a busy Saturday (as are most Saturday's) for the Triple Crown team, with Gold
Symphony seeking back-to-back wins in the Listed Carrington Stakes over 1400m
at Randwick, while Rock Mylady runs over a mile in Race 6.
El
Sasso returns to action at Eagle Farm in Race 4 over 1000m.
