An inspired rail hugging ride by Brenton Avdulla had supporters of Live And Free counting their money in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III Iron Jack Festival Stakes at Rosehill when down the outside came Kathy O’Hara on Godolphin’s honest Lonhro gelding Ranier to spoil the party.
Avdulla was awkwardly placed three pairs back on the fence but when O’Hara elected to leave the fence to track in the three-wide lane down the straight, Live And Free darted along the fence to set up what looked a winning lead. But he could not hold the finish of the race hardened Ranier who was coming off a narrow defeat at Flemington on November 9.
The 4yo son of Lonhro defeated Live And Free (Savabeel) by a half-head with Cellarman (Mossman) a length and three-quarters back in third.
Godolphin’s representative Darren Beadman was not sure his charge had won.
"They call me Splinters, I was sitting on the fence," Beadman joked.
"We had our head up and it had its head down.
"It was a lovely ride by Kathy and I think where she won it was when she didn't let Testashadow cross her, she was able to roll into the race.
"Kathy is nice and kind on the horses and they respond well for her.
"He had a light weight and she didn't have to waste for him so they're just that little bit stronger over the concluding stages."
Beadman indicated the Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 14 would likely be Ranier’s nest start.
It was the third stakes win for Ranier after the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes and Listed MRC Gothic Stakes while advancing his record to 4 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $481,120.
The good-looking son of Lonhro is the second foal of the talented Commands mare Kanzan whose three stakes wins included the Group III BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes.
A half-sister to the stakes-placed Giresun (Domesday), Kanzan has a yearling colt and a colt foal by Lonhro.
