Multiple Group 1 winner Gailo Chop has returned to racing in the best way possible this afternoon, producing a smart turn of foot to comfortably win the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield.
Gailo Chop eased in betting in the hours leading up to jump, but was able to easily find a position close to the pace from the outset and enjoyed an ideal run in transit just behind Master Reset, who set only a fair tempo for the small field.
Jockey Mark Zahra allowed the horse to go through his gears leading into the straight and he really never appeared in doubt, mustering a good turn of foot to hit the line a length in the clear of Harlem; Lord Fandango holding on to finish third by a nose from Wyndspelle.
Zahra delivered the required ride aboard Gailo Chop to win the Carlyon Cup this afternoon and was pleased with the horse’s performance.
“It just worked out nice. He got to the front and didn’t have to do too much early,” Zahra said.
“He was first-up after a long campaign and just sat off him (Master Reset) nice and when he gets to the front, he’s hard to run down.
“He’s always better at fending off than he is at running down and at the weights, he just looked like a good thing today.”
Trainer Darren Weir was pleased with the horse’s performance first-up and confirmed that the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) is his major campaign target this time.
“Last preparation was the first one we had with him and we were able to win one of the big ones (Group 1 Caulfield Stakes), so that was a great thrill to come back from a long layoff and do that,” Weir said.
“He went out pretty tired (following spring) and pretty light enough and we spelled him, backing sure he didn’t get big in condition and then when he came back into the stable, he just sort of thrived.
“The times I’ve seen him, his action’s been unbelievable, and we knew he was in great shape for today.
“He’s obviously on an Australian Cup path, but Sydney (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) sort of appeals to us a bit because he’s effective on rain-affected ground, if we happen to get some up there.”
Gailo Chop is currently available at an early price of $10 in our 2018 Australian Cup market.