Tango Express went back to back and Gold Lining and Sorisam both broke their maiden status for trainer Ricky Maund at Stony Creek on Saturday.
There was much to like about Gold Lining’s previous start at Sale, where he showed improvement from his earlier efforts. Ricky Maund sent him over the 2100 metre trip in the first at Stony Creek. Jockey, Rowan Waymouth, rode the gelding rigorously from the gates to land in the box seat. After taking an inside run at the corner Gold Lining was quick to put two lengths on his nearest rival. Race favourite Gravitas set after Gold Lining, but was a length in arrears at the post.
Lightly raced Sorisam has always hinted at his potential, and his fast finishing debut run at Mornington did nothing to change opinion. In only his second career start he showed that he may have a promising future. Ridden by Rhys McLeod in the third at Stony Creek, Sorisam box seated and after straightening was disappointed for an inside run when race leader Carsons Creek shifted in. Changing tactics, Rhys steered his mount across the back and around Carsons Creek to find the line three quarters of a length ahead of the late finishing and short priced favourite Dash for Viz.
Tango Express with partner in crime, Jade Darose, franked their previous start win with a scintillating display in the last over 1100 metres. As usual the Success Express mare was quick from the gates and, well rated by Jade, settled five lengths behind the leader, Set Shot. After turning, Tango Express reeled in the tear away leader to win by a length and a half. Tango Express was bred at Lauriston from Entango. Entango has a Lonhro colt at foot.
Meanwhile on the other side of Melbourne at Werribee, Complete Control was unlucky not to provide Ricky Maund with his fourth winner for the day. Complete Control has almost made finding trouble an art. Wide at the turn, Complete Control found herself in a bumping dual with the short priced De Lady Royale. The two drew together and battled toward the post. Near the 100 metre mark Complete Control was brushed and taken in one horse by De Lady Royale which had shifted in. De Lady Royale held out Complete Control by 0.3 of a length. Complete Control’s jockey Brian Park lodged a protest against the favourite – however the protest was dismissed. The incident was similar to Complete Control’s previous start at Seymour where she ran second to Cinnamon Sticks after Cinnamon Sticks had interfered with Complete Control, causing Complete Control to be eased at a critical stage of the race just after she had commenced her run. Again the protest was dismissed. Complete Control is a half sister to Maribyrnong Plate winners General Truce and Arctic Command. Her dam, General Resolve’s fourth foal is a four week old Testa Rossa filly.
