Renowned trainer Les Bridge has been patient with talented Adelaide (IRE) gelding the Denzel, who cast off maiden status with a commanding six length romp at Wyong on Thursday.
Frustratingly finishing second at his first three runs back this campaign, The Denzel finally got the job done giving Kerrin McEvoy the easiest of rides.
Sent out a very short priced favourite, he cruised along in the lead and sauntered to the line to win as he pleased.
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“That was how we thought he would win,” said Kerrin McEvoy.
“He’s a horse on the improve and is heading in the right direction. He’ll get over a further trip in time.”
Bred and retained to race by Kim Harding, who also bred and raced his mother, The Denzel is the first winner for Duporth mare Ooh La La, a maiden winner at Kembla over 1500m.
Ooh La La was one of five winners from superbly bred import Laikipia (IRE), an unraced half-sister by Green Desert to triple Group I winner Lailani, so there is plenty of quality European staying blood to suggest The Denzel will be able to step up in distance as he matures.
A Cox Plate winning son of Galileo, Adelaide stands at a fee of $5,500 and is a great option on the Coolmore roster for breed to race broodmare owners looking for classic quality on a budget.