Darren Weir’s flying French import Gailo Chop will take some beating next-up at Flemington on Super Saturday in the Australian Cup after a powerhouse win in the Peter Young Stakes 2018 on Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day.
Gailo Chop is clear favourite for the 2018 Australian Cup after a huge Peter Young Stakes win at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Continuing the gun run for Weir at the meeting, the seven-year-old Deportivo gelding was fit and flying second-up in the Group 2 $200,000 Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on the back of a lead-up win in the Group 3 TS Carlyon Cup (1600m) a fortnight back.
The chestnut made it two-from-two at Caulfield Racecourse this campaign and took his overall career earnings up over $2.5 million with a barnstorming Peter Young performance, running his rivals to the ground.
Ridden by Mark Zahra again, Gailo Chop ($2.40) was the well-ed favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au and immediately went to the lead setting a strong gallop and turning it into a genuine 1800m test.
“He’s flying at the moment,” Zahra said post-win.
“The Weir camp has him spot on and he’s just a gem to ride.”
Gailo Chop sat in front of Lord Fandango throughout with Nick Olive’s always-honest mare Single Gaze settled second and the horse that beat her home by one the run prior, CF Orr Stakes winner Hartnell travelling in fourth after jumping cleanly from the gates.
Approaching the turn, Gailo Chop looked to be travelling tremendously in the lead as Single Gaze pushed into the clear and the Godolphin-raced Hartnell also chiming in to give chase on the home straight.
It was all Gailo Chop late as he went on to win by a length and a quarter to Single Gaze ($5.50) who chased so hard all the way to the line.
Hartnell ($4.20) finished off the Peter Young Stakes trifecta two and a quarter lengths back for third, also unable to get close to the impressive winner.
“When I kicked at the top of the straight, I thought there’s no way anyone’s getting past me today,” Zahra said.
Gailo Chop looks spot-on now for a third-up run on March 10 in the Group 1 $1.5 million Australian Cup (2000m), a race Weir won only last year with Humidor (2017) improving on a lead-up Peter Young Stakes second.
“You’d think he’d go there [the Australian Cup] 100%,” Zahra added.
The Peter Young Stakes – Australian Cup double Gailo Chop is favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au now to complete was last achieved by Fiorente (2014).
“He’s a great horse,” Weir said of his Australian Cup hope.
“He’s got a great racing style and just watching him then, he looked to be really enjoying that.
“When Mark asked him to go on the corner, he really lengthened.
“That was a terrific win and we’ll head onto the Australian Cup now.
“That was a beautiful bring-on gallop, he really needed a big strong gallop to be fit enough for the 2000 metres in a couple of weeks.
“I couldn’t be happier with him.
“It’s a great time to have these great horses racing so well.”
To back Gailo Chop next race and to access the top Australian Cup 2018 odds online, visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.
2018 Peter Young Stakes Results & Finishing Order
Caulfield Race 9 – 24/02/2018
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | GAILO CHOP (FR) | Darren Weir | Mark Zahra | – | 8 | 59kg | $2.40F |
| 2 | 9 | SINGLE GAZE | Nick Olive | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 1.25L | 6 | 57kg | $5.50 |
| 3 | 1 | HARTNELL (GB) | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 3.5L | 5 | 59kg | $4.20 |
| 4 | 4 | VENTURA STORM (IRE) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 7.25L | 4 | 59kg | $41 |
| 5 | 10 | ABBEY MARIE | Michael Kent | Luke Nolen | 7.75L | 9 | 57kg | $9.50 |
| 6 | 3 | JACQUINOT BAY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Cory Parish | 8.05L | 2 | 59kg | $81 |
| 7 | 7 | SPIRITJIM (FR) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Michael Walker | 13.05L | 3 | 59kg | $71 |
| 8 | 6 | HARLEM (GB) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 15.05L | 1 | 59kg | $10 |
| 9 | 5 | LORD FANDANGO (GER) | Archie Alexander | Jordan Childs | 16.05L | 7 | 59kg | $26 |
| – | 8 | THE TAJ MAHAL (IRE) | Liam Howley | Ben Melham | – | 0 | – | – |
