Talented sprinter Lhasa was at the peak of his powers on the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, schooling his rivals despite a hefty weight impost.
The five-year-oldson of Hellbent recorded his first four victories on the surface, but proved he was much more than a one trick pony when defeating a class field of open gallopers on the turf at Trentham in early March. He continued solid form through his next couple of starts, but looked a major threat back on the synthetic, starting a $2.60 favourite ahead of Ultimate Focus ($4).
In a race named the “Ride For Jimmy 1300”, jockeys wore black armbands to honour Jimmy Schick, a son of Windsor Park Stud principals Rodney and Gina Schick, who passed recently under tragic circumstances.
Clearly the highest rated runner in the open contest, Lhasa carried 60kg with Rihaan Goyaram’s claim in use and he was on the front foot from the second the gates opened. The big-striding galloper went straight to the lead uncontested and stole cheap sectionals along the back straight, leaving his rivals chasing as he put the pressure on turning for home.
Ultimate Focus and his stablemate Charmer attempted to make up ground on Lhasa, but he was off and gone, putting an extending four lengths on the latter as he powered through the line.
The son of Hellbent is part-owned and trained by Mark Treweek, who praised the efforts of the young apprentice in a dominant display by his charge.
“When he got the weight that he did, it was an easy decision to throw someone like Rihaan on,” Treweek said. “He’s been riding so well and to be claiming three kilograms, that makes a huge difference.
“The draw really helped him, he’s always pretty good away but he needs a good draw and you seem to need a good draw on this track to get the right sort of run.”
The Cambridge horseman had initially purchased Lhasa at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions Weanling Sale, with the view of selling him on, however, the gelding ended up being unsuitable as a pinhooking prospect, and Treweek is enjoying the fruits of that outcome.
“Originally we thought he was just going to be a synthetic horse, but as he’s matured, he’s gotten stronger and seems to, on a good surface, race well anywhere,” Treweek said.
“Last start was probably my fault, he probably shouldn’t have run from a wide draw because there were a lot of horses that were going to kick up on the inside, so he got back and was no show from there.
“I’m very happy with the run today.”
Out of Redoute’s Choice mare Rupavari, Lhasa comes from the family of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Clean Sweep. In 26 starts, Lhasa has recorded six wins and seven minor placings, banking over $140,000 for connections. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
