Joe Pride’s ability to revitalise horses was again on display as Gatsby’s returned to the winner’s stall at Randwick.
The gelding claimed the Listed Rosebud (1100m) in 2024 and later finished fifth behind Switzerland in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), but had been unable to add another win until Saturday.
Now in Pride’s care, Gatsby’s finished midfield first-up before finding the right race in the Racing And Sports Handicap (1200m).
“I came here today reasonably confident because I thought the first-up run had a lot of merit from a wide gate,” Pride said.
“There is a decent amount of improvement to come.
“He’s a horse who has got a pretty good record still. He has run around in some good races. It wasn’t a matter of finding out if he had any ability, it was just a matter of recapturing that. It was a good result.”
Chad Schofield pushed Gatsby’s ($6) to the front halfway up the straight and the gelding held on strongly to defeat Bundeena ($4 fav) by a length, with Uzziah ($12) a head away in third.
Pride said the most pleasing aspect was the way the horse responded under pressure.
“It was just a matter of, has he got the desire anymore? And I liked the way he was challenged in that last hundred metres or so and he fought on really well,” he said.
“I think he’s a horse who hasn’t fulfilled his potential yet, so hopefully we can get a few more wins.”
Those following the Racing And Sports Handicap can review the latest betting markets for the race ahead of upcoming targets.
The post Gatsby’s back in the winner’s stall for new yard first appeared on Just Horse Racing.