Gervais shows exciting promise

The well-named Gervais had his owners cheering and laughing on Sunday when he posted an impressive victory in just his second start for trainer Danny O’Brien on Sale Cup Day.

The son of Rip Van Winkle appears destined for a bright future as he was commanding in the performance which backed up an encouraging third on debut on October 11.

“It was very encouraging to see him take the next step and show genuine improvement from his first start,” in-form jockey James Winks said after the race.

“He was knocked over at the start so to be able to pick himself up and travel so well into the race from back in the field shows what a progressive type that he is.”

O’Brien said he was likely to step the gelding beyond the 1200m of his first two starts as he was bred to appreciate further.

The $80,000 yearling purchase is out of the Marscay mare My Funny Face, already the dam of Group 3 Queen’s Cup winner Gondorff and the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Princess Annaliese.

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