Six-year-old gelding London Banker is proving a handy addition to the stable of Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida.
The Tavistock gelding made it three wins in succession when landing an Open Handicap over 2000m at Doomben on Saturday, narrowly prevailing under a well-timed James Orman ride.
Raced by Ron and Judy Wanless, who enjoyed Group One success with Kiwi bred horses like Amalfi and Lights Of Heaven, London Banker transferred to Schweida after commencing his career in New Zealand in the care of Roger James and Robert Wellwood, for whom he won on four occasions.
The Kiwi import has not been out of the money in five starts for Schweida with the Brisbane horseman suggesting there could be one more run in the horse this campaign, with plenty of options in preparations ahead.
“He is definitely well above average. If he was going to get rolled it would have been today because we gave him ten days up at Washpool Lodge on their water walker. They do a great job,” Schweida said.
“He was very fresh and back to 2000m after two quick runs over 2200m, it was a little bit of a concern because he can hit a little flat spot.
“Jimmy (Orman) was very confident that he would pick them up and just the last bit he got to them quick.
“There is a 2000m race in a fortnight and I don’t know about the Toowoomba Cup (A$125,000 2000m on September 25) or anything like that.
“We will probably only get one more run out of him because that is normally what you get out of them once you give them a freshen up.”
“I will speak with Ronnie and Judy, well done to the Wanless family, they are good supporters of mine and they are going good.”
Ridden patiently by Orman, London Banker was back in the second half of the field and took a while to wind up before knuckling down late to the cheers of punters who sent him out $2.30 favourite.
“The further he goes, the better he will be. I think he will run 2400m on his ear. There are a lot of nice Cup races around,” Schweida said.
“The only thing is he is better ridden a bit quiet and he does hit a flat spot. He has got it all before him.”
Purchased for $100,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale by Roger James, London Banker was presented by Kilgravin Lodge on behalf of Ancroft Stud.
By the late Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock, London Banker is out of Palos de Lago, an Encosta de Lago half-sister to star galloper El Segundo. – NZ Racing Desk
