After the heavy rain in the Pakenham region, Eric Musgrove felt that Levant may be better suited to race at Donald on Sunday. But he had drawn gate 17 at Donald, and so the 1300 metre race at Pakenham today regained plan A status. The plan was to ride him quietly. The plan worked.
Regular rider Eddie Casser was on board and he knew not to push the grey gelding early. Levant fell out of the gates. Cardiobeat set a cracking pace chased by a wall of four horses. Six lengths further back was Levant with two others.
Race favourite Spirit Of Many was ideally positioned in the box seat behind the race leader, while outside him the on pacers began to struggle. The favourite raced around Cardiobeat and looked the likely winner. But the fast tempo suited the grey who was still out of the picture, and Eddie, patiently let him work in to the race. Taking a short cut around the turn and then pushing out wider on the track, Levant made up a tremendous amount of late ground to claim Spirit Of Many in the final stages. He won by ¾ length while Cardiobeat held on for third, a further three lengths behind.
Levant was bred at Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm. It was his sixth win and took his career earnings to just over $70,000.
