FROM OUT OF NOWHERE

In-form gelding Lafargue surged through the pack from what appeared a hopeless position to score a memorable victory at Sandown on Saturday.

Jockey Jye McNeil ended up last in running on the son of Capitalist in the 1200m BM70 event and the Melbourne Cup winning hoop made the decision to ride for luck in the closing stages.

When a gap finally appeared the four-year-old exploded through and chased hard to run down the fancied leader Our Heidi, who led by five lengths with a furlong to race.

"We were hoping to take up a more forward position in running, but it became evident early that we be posted wide if I pushed on so we took our medicine and went back," McNeil said. 

"Because we were so far back I elected to stay inside and ride for luck and fortunately the horse was travelling and the gaps opened early enough for us to chase down the runaway leader."

"I rode the horse on a heavy track two starts back and he gave me a long surging run, so I was confident on the soft track today that he would sprint strongly and it was a very good win in the end."

The win was Lafargue's fourth in a preparation that began back in September, and trainer Danny O'Brien said given the gelding was racing so well on wet tracks that his preparation was likely to continue.

Lafargue has now won five races from 18 career starts.

Photo by Racing Photos