Winston Legacy, our tall, scopey son of Rip Van Winkle, is still a work in progress and doing what he can in his races. Let’s say he is “winging it” a little, and has a great deal to learn.
He has been very consistent this preparation, with a win and three second placings in five starts. We would have loved to achieved win number two yesterday at Geelong, having gone down narrowly to Look At Me Now over the 2200m trip. This was his first effort at distances greater than 1700m and gave his connections a taste of things to come as he matures. We think he can develop into a very handy staying horse in the Autumn, and hopefully progress further next Spring when he will be at his peak.
Michael Walker has been building a good relationship with Winston, and confirmed what we immediately thought after the race that the barrier cost him the win. Jumping from the second widest barrier, Michael allowed big Winston to find his feet near the tail of the field. Unfortunately, due to immaturity and inexperience, Winston lugged in a little and found himself in an awkward position on the fence, second last. Michael then had to extricate him out of that position and he finished strongly up the centre of the track to run a close second.
Immaturity also led to him wobbling and laying in a little in the closing stages. So Nigel believes now is a good time to give him 6-8 weeks in the paddock, and return for a solid Autumn campaign working through the grades.
Thanks to Winston’s owners, including breeders John and Mark Carter of Jomara Bloodstock in New Zealand. Their patience should pay off in due course.
Winston Legacy was a NZD105,000 purchase at the 2014 Karaka Premier Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud.
Rip Van Winkle has now sired 122 winners. From his first European (2012) and New Zealand (2013/13) crops, he has sired 85 winners (57%) including nine stakes-winners (6%). Not bad considering these crops are only four year olds (and only recently turned four in the Southern Hemisphere). Many of them, like Winston Legacy, are only now starting to mature into their frames and realise their potential.
