News

Odyssey a winner again at least

5th Jun 2016

Racing.com - Brad Bishop - Saturday, 4 June 2016

When Odyssey Moon won the $250,000 Inglis Nursery on debut, connections were within their rights to shoot for the stars with the son of Snitzel.

Accordingly, they gave him every chance to prove himself, running him in all three legs of the Sydney 2YO Triple Crown – the highlight of which was an ATC Sires’ second placing – and the three-year-old features last spring.

After several frustrating minor placings this time in, trainer Robert Smerdon reassessed and on Saturday at Ladbrokes Park (Sandown) was rewarded with a second victory.

Odyssey Moon turned in a fighting on-pace performance to win the $80,000 Ladbrokes Cash In Handicap (1300m). The $6.50 chance scored by a short head from Battlecamp ($7.50) with Bassett ($14) the same margin away third.

It was the first time Odyssey Moon has raced out of Black Type company since that debut win and Tom Sadler, who was having his first ride on the galloper, said the win should aid his confidence.

“He’s a lovely horse,” the apprentice jockey said. “He stargazed a bit, but when the horse of ‘Stacky’s’ (Daniel Stackhouse, Bassett) came at me he really took it on.

“He was good to the line, but I reckon there’s still a bit there.

“I hope the win will give him a bit of confidence.”

Dwayne Dunn rode the runner-up and suggested he was not at home on the Heavy track, while $4.20 favourite Sooboog (fifth) endured a wide run and pulled up lame in the off foreleg.

Odyssey Moon’s win – which took his career earnings to $568,475 – completed a winning double for Smerdon, who won the second race of the day with promising staying mare Clemency.

The regally-bred four-year-old, who is by Redoute’s Choice out of Queensland Oaks winner Eskimo Queen, underlined her staying ability with a first-up win over 1500m.

Like her stablemate, the $3.60 favourite scored by a short head from Niminypiminy ($5) with Yellen ($4.40) three lengths away third.

Clemency’s win was an early highlight for Ben Allen, who later had his day soured by an eight-meeting suspension for overuse of the whip.