Late Spring call for Lopov
Talented galloper Lopov has earned a shot at some late spring races after a dominant win in Saturday's Yalumba Masters Handicap at Caulfield.
The gelding, a son of Cox Plate winner Savabeel, was stepping up to 2400m and coming into the race off two luckless runs at his last two starts.
But with Glen Boss aboard from gate one he was given every chance to showcase his wares and he didn't disappoint.
Boss took up the early running then took a sit as the field sorted itself out.
He then eased into the clear around the bend and quickly swept past the leader and away, eased down late for a comfortable win.
Brungle Cry ground home to again finish runner-up and surely has a distance win in him soon, while Dell got into third at huge odds.
The favourite Snitza was alongside the winner on the turn but faded right out of it in the straight.
For Lopov's trainer Danny O'Brien it was not only a welcome return to form but an important test for longer races later in the year.
“He could have easily won three Saturday's in a row but the good thing today was he (Boss) was positive on him and he's got a good run throughout,” O'Brien said.
“He's a very tough horse. I don't think I've trained a tougher one, actually. Every time you run him he gets better from it again.
“He was solid at the 2400m so it gives us a lot of options next season.”
O'Brien said Lopov is unlikely to spell because he loved stable life but would be freshened to build up to staying races at end of the spring carnival.
“There's not much around for him now but we really wanted to see him at the mile and a half.
“He not only travelled well but sprinted hard at the end which is a good sight for horses over 2400m.
“We'll give him a freshen-up and perhaps look at the back end of the spring.
“There's a lot of staying races over the spring but they do thin out as you get to the back end of it.
“He thrives on the stable environment and thrives being in work.”
Lopov, just a $25,000 New Zealand Premier yearling, has won four of 17 races and over $100,000.
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