English import Life Less Ordinary is on track for the Doomben Cup in a fortnight with a tough win in the Group 2 $500,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast today.
Life Less Ordinary, above, winning at Flemington, was the winner of the 2019 A.D. Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Life Less Ordinary ($5 equal favourite) had no heavy track form heading into the A.D. Hollindale Stakes but the seven year old handled the heavy 10 rated surface very well as he stormed down the outside to claim victory.
Trainer Chris Waller saddle up the quinella with Mister Sea Wolf ($5.50) working hard to the line for second in front of the Kris Lees trained Hallelujah Boy ($11).
Winning jockey Jason Collett had Life Less Ordinary in the second half of the field from an awkward barrier and worked into the race approaching the home.
Collett eased Life Less Ordinary to the middle of the track in the straight and had a clear run to the line.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Kenedna was sent out as the $5 equal favourite in a wide open betting race and after settling midfield, failure to threaten in the straight.
Jockey Clayton Douglas has Kenedna travelling smoothly on the fence in the early and middle stages and decided to stick to the inside in the straight but she made no impression on the leading division.
Waller’s Gold Coast foreman Paul Shailer was anticipating a good showing from Life Less Ordinary once the rain arrived and expects the seven year old to be further competitive during the Queensland Winter Carnival, especially if there is more rain in the next couple of weeks.
“When the rain came and the track turned into a genuine heavy 10, heavy 11, really brought him into calculations and the late betting would probably suggest that,” Shailer said.
“He was super and genuine heavy tracker and he has been a consistent performer throughout his career.”
“I am sure Chris will map out a good plan for him. I am not sure what race is the target for him yet but he is certainly on the right track and if the rain hangs around he is going to be a pretty serious contender in what ever he lines up in.”
Life Less Ordinary is well in contention for the Group 1 $700,000 Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben and is on the second line of betting at $11 at Ladbrokes.com.au behind the joint favourites Gem Song, Kenedna and Youngstar at $6.
