It seems Son Of Grace may have caught wind his connections had been discussing his future outside of racing prior to heading to Kyneton on Thursday but the six-year-old decided to put retirement off by recording a particularly gutsy win.
“He was coming to D-Day,” Allison said, noting that the gelding’s lack of recent form had her “scratching her head!”
“He’d run a few lacklustre races since returning from a spell and been dropping the bridle in the middle stages.”
“So I thought we’d try blinkers – he had them on for the first time on Monday and gave me a really good feel in his gallop.”
“He was very sharp and responded well.”
The gear change certainly did the trick today, Son Of Grace fast out of the gates. Over the early stages he had company out in front but he had that rival off the bit from well before the turn.
Cornering beautifully, Son Of Grace never looked in any danger of defeat as he just kept kicking – holding off his rivals to salute by a strong length.
“He is a very fit, sound horse who is easy to train,” Allison said, delighted to have the gelding back in the form that saw him win his maiden at Sale in nice fashion in May last year.
“He is just the most delightful horse to do anything with,” she said, “he had just been switching off a bit.”
“I have to thank his very patient owners,” Allison continued, delighted to win a race for Son Of Grace’s biggest fans!
“They travel to most of his races regardless of distance, they are very loyal so it was a well deserved win.”
Neil Farley was aboard Son Of Grace for the first time and he was confident a fair way out.
“He absolutely pinged the gates and found the front very easily. I just let him be happy, rolling along at a good speed and when I went for him he gave a good kick.”
Cheering loudly as he did so were his owners including his delighted breeder Sandra McLees and her son Robert Ryan.
“It was a great result for us all,” Robert enthused. “He stood up for us today, we love him to bits and we are so proud of him.”
The horse affectionately known as “Mike” has been with Allison since he was three months of age, arriving at her property with his city placed six times winning dam Silver Trinket. Sadly she died with Son Of Grace her only foal.
His sire Cowboy Blue was unraced died seven years ago having sired just 30 live foals. Ten of those raced with Son Of Grace one of five winners for the son of High Chaparral.