Promising galloper Laverrod will launch a lucrative autumn campaign at Ascot tomorrow in the Hawaiian Ride For Youth Handicap (1000m).
The Toronado gelding has been earmarked for a shot at the $500,000 VOBIS Gold Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on April 18 as he looks to stretch out over more ground this preparation.
Laverrod showed enormous potential over the recent TABtouch Masters series when he was placed in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and Lee Steere Classic (1400m).
That preceded his maiden win over 1200m on December 21 at Ascot.
The three-year-old tuned up for the first-up run with a solid trial performance over 950m at Lark Hill on February 24.
Jockey Patrick Carbery said Laverrod would take plenty of benefit from tomorrow’s event, but was confident he could still make his presence felt.
“It’s probably just a shade short for him,” he told TABradio.
“He trialled really well and he needed the hit out in the trial.
“He’s come on since that trial and he’s had a couple of nice hit outs since then.
“I expect him to go really well, but he’s definitely got a fair bit of improvement in him.”
Ziebell, a winner over 1100m at Ascot last start, is expected to provide plenty of speed in the $70,000 event and Carbery said Laverrod could have his work cut out to overcome both him and Angelique’s Fame.
“You look at Michael Lane’s horse Angelique’s Fame has got a stack of speed, so they might cut each other up a little bit,” he said.
“I still expect him not to be that far away, but in saying that I wouldn’t think it would be in our best interests to be chasing that.”
Trainer Sean Casey told The Races WA after the trial he wanted to give Laverrod a chance to travel to Melbourne, where he’s eligible to compete in VOBIS races.
A good morning for Sean Casey at trials, headed by Laverrod, who is Melbourne-bound and two of his juveniles. He spoke to @santassnippets.@TABradio @TAB_touch @PerthRacing @PerthRacing pic.twitter.com/z0X7I6ZfDE
— The Races WA (@theracesWA) February 24, 2020
Carbery said this campaign would be crucial in working out what distance suited Laverrod.
“I’ve always thought a mile, but I’m still not really sure,” he said.
“He obviously ran over 1400m and was placed and it looked like he was going to win.
“He probably looked a bit soft late then he went back to the 1200 and won.
“I still feel he took a long while to get fit.
“He was probably really fit in his last run.
“In the back of my mind I still feel he will get a mile.”
Laverrod is a $2.05 favourite with TABtouch ahead of Ziebell and Comes A Time at $4.20.
Racing at Ascot gets underway at 12.52 tomorrow afternoon.
Tim Walker
www.rwwa.com.au