It had been a frustrating and puzzling start to Cadabra’s race campaign this Spring, with two fairly uninspiring 7th placings at her first two runs. But with tweaks to her training, extra love and attention, a rise to 1600m and a good ride from Michael Walker, Cadabra returned to form with a scintillating victory at Ballarat.
Anyone who saw her barnstorming victory at Cranbourne back in April will understand why Nigel and connections have held a high opinion of this mare as she is now, by Westbury Stud (NZ) sire Red Giant. In that race she was ridden back in the field and lengthened stride beautifully to chase down the leaders and win in good fashion. She did that again yesterday at Ballarat to turn her campaign around and set herself up for more success in coming weeks.
Blinkers were applied last start to help her focus, upon the recommendation of Michael Walker and after proving their benefit in track work. So it was puzzling to see her not finish her previous race (Bendigo 14-Sep) in better style.
But yesterday’s race at Ballarat was a different race. A smallish field at Class 1 level meant a more moderate tempo. Normally this makes it hard for horses to come from back in the field. But Cadabra was better settled and more focussed with this moderate tempo, allowing her to accelerate well into the gap and over the final 400m under Michael’s expert guidance.
Out of the FASTNET ROCK mare SYMPHONY ROCK, Cadabra is owned by a group of clients headed by Ian and Karyn Lewis, and one of New Zealand’s leading bloodstock agents Jen Campin. Another good example of a partnership coming together to bring a New Zealand-bred horse across to Melbourne for the better prize money.
Cadabra draws clear under a good ride from Michael Walker for @NigelBlackiston@BallTurfClub. #RacingLivepic.twitter.com/zROXxJtvg7
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 5, 2017
We went agonisingly close to a double at Ballarat, when Sneakers again race a close second.
Sneakers is racing particularly well and she has certainly matured this Spring. She seems to appreciate being kept to the shorter distances and shows consistent ability to sprint nicely off a decent pace. So we hope, and expect, her to break through for another win soon.
