The 5-year-old Shamus Award gelding Willaidow has returned from a career-threatening injury to extend his winning run to four with a dominant performance in the Midway (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
With regular rider Deanne Panya in the saddle, the Marc Conners-trained gedling kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Gently Rolled (Press Statement) by three-quarters of a length with Lancaster Bomber (Denman) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
A $7,000 buy for her trainer when offered by Serene Lodge at the Magic Millions March Online Sale, Willaidow advances his record to four wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $123,875.
Willaidow was coming off a three-and-a-half length romp at Gosford at his first start in 30 weeks.
“He won his last two starts last preparation, and he fractured his cannon bone’” Marc Conners revealed.
“He had an operation and has three screws in there now. He has come back with two wins, and Den (Panya) has done all the work with him.
“He wasn’t easy early on, always wanting to do things wrong, and he was not fast at all. He picks it up on raceday, that’s for sure.
“I think he is competitive at 1200m and 1400m, so he has plenty of options. We will just pick our mark.
“It’s fantastic for Deanne as she had time off when she had the baby. She does a lot of work for our stable and puts in the hours, so it’s great to see her get the results."
Bred by Serene Lodge, Willaidow is the first foal of the Casino Prince mare Stimulated, which was sold online in 2022 for $1,250.
Stimulated is a daughter of the talented Octagonal mare Provokes, who placed in the Group III Sapphire Stakes, Listed The Vivison, and Listed Dark Jewel Stakes.
After foaling a Rich Enuff filly in October, Stimulated was covered by Royal Meeting (IRE).
