It was a great day for a terrific group of patient owners when El Maestro was able to win his maiden at his 9th race start today at the Sunshine Coast in the TAB Maiden Plate over 1800m.
After debuting in early 2021, the son of Reliable Man had been away from the racetrack for a year in 2021-22, returning for 3 promising starts before another leg injury in November forced him to spell for another 35 weeks. Obviously, the query was how well he would return, but he had done nothing but please the stable since he came back into work for his two runs, including a most unlucky wide run last time out.
After drawing wide in a 1400m race on Sunday that otherwise looked most suitable, John Symons elected to scratch and jump straight to the 1800m event today, a big gamble on the horse’s fitness that could only pay off with a conservative ride.
Well Jaden Lloyd was well up to that task, and from barrier 8 settled rearwards and waited patiently until the straight before coercing the gelding through an opening to arrive on the scene without wasting too much energy. As the two favourites swept towards the lead down the outside, Jaden was able to encourage El Maestro to surge strongly and he asserted his staying authority quickly and dominantly. He was tired as they got to the line, but the job was done!
Sheila Laxon commented after the race that El Maestro’s family was well known to her; she and husband Laurie had in fact trained Finezza Belle to win the Grand Prix Stakes and to place in the Qld Oaks and Derby in 1987. With that pedigree it is no wonder he excelled today out to the 1800m and onwards and upwards for future staying victories.
Congratulations to all concerned!