Experienced Victorian trainer Robbie Laing has labelled his exciting
youngster Rohatyn as "potentially one of the best three-year-olds in the
country" after he held out the classy Blur in the $101,040 The Jansz at Morphettville
this afternoon. Rohatyn (3-32/10) sat in a
handy position throughout the race and pounced on the lead at the top of the home straight
and then showed plenty of heart to hold out the hot favourite Blur (8/10-Evens-8/10 fav)
in the run to the line.
In winning The Jansz Laing also pocketed
himself a $15,000 cash bonus as part of the SA TAB trainer's treasure map.
"The bonus actually took me by surprise," Laing
said. "I had no idea."
The colt, a son of the Arc champion Carnegie, is a winner of
two of his three starts and was probably caught on the wrong side of the Flemington
straight when beaten in Melbourne last start.
"I think he (the horse) throught he had won last start
when in fact the horse on the inside of the track had," Laing said.
Laing, who just over a week ago won the Group One SA Derby
with Pantani, said he had been pleasantly surprised at the youngster performing so well at
a young age.
"He's definitely
exceeded my expectations this preparation," Laing said. "I've always thought he
was going to be a Derby three-year-old."
Connections are set to earmark a feature program next month
which is set to take in many of Melbourne's feature events for three-year-olds.
"You'd think he would be suited in a race like the
Caulfield Guineas in the spring carnival," Laing added.
"I think he's potentially going to be the best
three-year-old of next season," Laing said. "I'm a bit worried about Half
Hennessy though," he forecasted.
Rohatyn is a half brother to
the 1988 Spring Champion Stakes winner Sakana, who's now a handy bread and butter sire in
New South Wales. He was purchased by Laing at the New Zealand Yearling Sale series for
NZ$48,000.
Third home in the race was the Robert Smerdon trained
Troubled Man (8-9/1). That colt was four lengths behind the runner-up.
Undenied (6-10-8/1) was fourth for globetrotting jockey
Steven King. Westace was the best of the locals in fifth place. |