Talented Adelaide-based galloper Lord Aspen will head to the 2014 Sandown Guineas next weekend after he made it four wins from as many starts with a tough victory in the 2014 Hilton Hotels And Resorts Stakes.
Lord Aspen scored a fighting win in the 2014 Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes at Flemington this afternoon. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Lord Aspen was brought to Melbourne by trainer Mick Huxtable after he recorded three comfortable wins in his first three race starts and the Good Journey gelding did not do everything right, but was still too strong for Orient Line and the fast-finishing Ducal Castle in the final stages of the race.
Jockey Matthew Neilson said that Lord Aspen had a look around and waited for his rivals when he hit the front at the 250 metre mark, but he was thrilled that the natural talent of three-year-old got him over the line for his first race win during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“It was a great thrill and I am just so happy for Mick and the owners to bring me over,” Neilson said.
“In his three starts back home he has done it pretty easy and today he was just like a true professional, but he still has a little bit to learn.
“He got there, switched off and thought that it was all over, but he still had 100 to go and he dug deep when another one came up inside of me.
“He was just stargazing, but I just don’t know how far this bloke is going to go, he seems pretty good and he is doing it pretty easy at the moment.”
Huxtable was happy to see Lord Aspen improve his record to four race wins from as many race starts, but he admits that the talented gelding still has plenty to learn about racing and will be a better horse next preparation.
The Murray Bridge-based trainer confirmed that Lord Aspen would have his next race start in the Group 3 Sandown Guineas (1400m) next Saturday, but is already eyeing the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival with the three-year-old.
“He held on pretty good and he still doesn’t know what he is doing,” Huxtable said
“He is going to be a good horse next time, he is just a lovely horse.
“Sandown Guineas next Saturday if he pulls up ok and the paddock after that.
“He will be back in the autumn and probably have a light couple of runs and then be set for the spring.”
Orient Line fought on bravely to finish second, while Ducal Castle was the unlucky runner in the race after he was blocked for a run at the 400 metre mark before working home strongly to finish third.
