CLASSY KAH GUIDES ALLEE TO VICTORY
Leading jockey Jamie Kah’s class came to the fore on Saturday as she guided Grinzinger Allee brilliantly to a determined and deserved victory at Sandown.
The gelding was desperately unlucky first up at Caulfield when held up in the straight before launching to the line, but there was never going to be any danger of being cluttered up in traffic at Sandown.
It was an unusual race over the 1500m journey, with tearaway leader Fundraiser bolting on his rider Damian Lane, who was forced to let his horse charge ahead, entering the home straight six or seven lengths ahead of eventual runner-up Holbien.
Grinzinger Allee ($2.30F) is often seen at the tail of the field, but he settled closer on this occasion, trailing the hectic speed in a distant third place in the run.
The hot pace proved to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for the Danny O’Brien-trained gelding, helping him find his rhythm without battling Kah in the saddle, and she was full of praise for his fight as he battled Holbien to the line to score by a head.
“With that tempo today, he just relaxed beautifully, he was never going to throw his head or over-race,” Kah said after the win.
“I was a little bit worried, but I thought I had enough horse underneath me. I was more surprised that (Holbien) on the inside kicked up and really challenged him late.
“He had to show today that he was tough as well, not just a nice horse with a turn of foot.
“I was really happy with how he showed his versatility.”
Kah has always had a high opinion of the four-year-old and she said he should continue to improve rising in trip this campaign.
“I had a lot to do with him early days and I thought he was a really nice horse,” she said.
“He just had a lot of issues with his head, getting him to settle and getting him right as he’s shown throughout his form.
“If we can get him to settle over further, it is just going to be better and better for him.”
Assistant trainer Ben Gleeson lauded Kah for her classy ride and he expects Grinzinger Allee to derive plenty of benefit from the fighting victory.
“(Kah) showed her patience and poise,” Gleeson said.
“It was a little bit worrying when we saw that leader out in front by so far, but he was most likely going to come back to them.
“She just took her time and did what was most important for the horse; she got him to settle and travel.
“He’s had a perfect run and cruised into it. He had to fight out the finish a little bit, but he certainly showed his grit and determination.
“Chasing down that horse will have done him the world of good fitness-wise and he’ll improve into his next run.”
The victory was the son of Reliable Man’s fourth from 14 starts.
By Conor Walsh for RSN
Pic by Racing Photos