He might have growing admirers now, but Sunday’s Geraldton maiden winner Cooking With Gas was virtually friendless last year.
Trainer Sarah Childs bought the son of Nicconi sight unseen from an online auction, but on reflection she had immediate misgivings.
Buyer’s remorse is the sense of regret after you make a purchase and Child’s was not afraid to admit she experienced that lament with Cooking With Gas.
But after his scorching first win last weekend the lightly raced five-year-old could develop into a nice type and prove better than anyone anticipated.
Caught wide in the GWN Maiden (1100m), Cooking With Gas let down brilliantly in the straight and cleared away to win by 3 ½ lengths, breaking 34sec for the final 600m.
For Childs, after an uncertain beginning, Cooking With Gas has the potential to be one of the smartest and most astute decisions she has made.
“I bought him from an on line auction, but I think I was just being click happy,” Childs told The Races WA.
“I thought to myself that I didn’t really think I needed another horse, but took a punt and put a bid in anyway.
“When I went to check on the bid again the next morning I realised I was the only person to have expressed any interest.
“As I was the only bidder I was pretty much left with no other option but to take the horse on.
“Once he got here and got off the track I thought ‘oh dear’.
“I didn’t think he was going to be any good.”
After a slow burn Childs is now not shy to express her admiration and affection for Cooking With Gas.
She conceded the gelding’s first win from his third start last weekend was emotional.
“I shed a tear when he crossed the line,” Childs said.
“I think it was because of the time we put in to get him to the races.
“He has his issues and every time we thought he was ready to go something would pop up.
“But he is such a character and has a will to win.
“He has a big heart and has a crack.”
Childs says another impressive performance next start and Cooking With Gas could race in Perth sooner rather than later.
She believes he is the most talented prospect in her line-up, a significant call with stable mate M’Lady winning a hat trick of races this preparation.
“On times you would have to say he is the best horse in my stable,” Childs said.
“He will have another race in Geraldton and if he goes good again I might have to consider going to town.”
Julio Santarelli
www.rwwa.com.au