The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone is best known for his on-speed exploits but after being a shade slow to begin on Saturday, the son of Almanzor found a new trick in his kit-bag as he triumphed narrowly at Flemington.
Ridden by apprentice Luke Cartwright, Roadcone came from midfield to wear down his rivals in the Vale Steve Richards (1400m) and narrowly score from He’ll Rip and Elouyou.
Moody was quick to pay tribute to the late Flemington trainer Steve Richards after whom the race was named.
“I was never personal with Steve but always had great respect for him as a horseman and a trainer and he was always polite and if you needed a hand or anything he was always there to put his hand up,” Moody said.
“You're always very proud to win a race named after such a fine person, so thinking of family and friends at this time.
“Our intention was to probably lead. We thought we might have been right on pace but he jibbed the start a little bit but then Luke gave him a nice ride and found cover midfield.
“He got a nice cart into the race and he showed good tenacity the last little bit. He was going to run a lovely third and then really knuckled down and had a good crack.
“They’re patient owners over in New Zealand, so hopefully the boys have had a good day.
“He pays his bills again and he wins one each preparation. It gets harder when you get up in the in the ratings a little bit, but young Cartwright rides him well and that claim was very valuable in the last 50m.”
By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Roadcone was bred by Bob Emery and is out of the So You Think mare On The Ball, who placed at two for Murray Baker before a career-ending injury.
Baker went to $120,000 to purchase Roadcone from Woburn Farm’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022 on behalf of part-owners John Rattray and Alastair Lawrence.
Roadcone is a half-brother to multiple Listed winner and Group One-placed Archaic Smile, while his yearling half-sister by Too Darn Hot made $675,000 last year at Karaka.
Jockey Luke Cartwright said the galloper held a special place in his heart given he had won three metropolitan races on him.
The five-year-old gelding has been a good money-spinner for connections, with six wins from 20 career starts and a further four placings, advancing his prizemoney to A$332,364. – NZ Racing Desk
