Peter and Paul Snowden’s promising two-year-old Enforcement is destined for bigger things following his runaway three length win at Tuesday s Newcastle race meeting.
Enforcement, in his first start since being gelded was the $1.40 favourite in the Vital Security Maiden Plate (900m) and those that took the short odds had no cause for concern.
The youngster was quickly away, and jockey Christian Reith elected to sit outside the lead before racing away in the straight. Enforcement finished midfield in his previous two starts at Randwick in December and Warwick Farm in March. Because of his coltish behaviour it was decided to geld him after two brilliant trial wins the roomy Newcastle track was chosen for his first up run.
Enforcement races in the same colours as another talented two-year-old Strasbourg. The latter won the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle in December and last Saturday Strasbourg won the Group 2 Sires Produce at Eagle Farm.
Christian Reith landed a double at the meeting steering $1.70 favourite This Is So to victory in the 1300 metre Vital Hospitality Group Maiden. In only his second start the four-year-old stormed home from well back to win by a neck. This Is So is promising and his breeding suggests he will apricate more ground.
Tommy Berry also rode two winners on the seven-race program. He was aboard odds on favourite Smart Decision which vindicated her short quote with an easy win in the EGroup Protective Services Maiden (1500m). Berry produced a peach of a ride to bring Ritmico from the tail of the field to win the EGroup Electronics Handicap (1860m) The winner is raced by Winx’s part owner Debbie Kepitis and is trained by Chris Waller.
Kris Lees was the only local trainer to saddle up a winner.
Imported mare Vive Marie a $19 outsider raced on the speed throughout before hanging on to win the EGroup Events Australia Class 1 (1500m). The five-year-old is raced by an Australian Bloodstock syndicate and until Tuesday she has been disappointing. Lees’ apprentice Louise Day placed Vive Marie on the speed and she dashed away on the mare in the straight before holding on for a narrow win.
Hawksbury mare Gimme Shelter overcame some hampering in the straight to close late and win the 900 metre EGroup Security Class 2. The filly hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck in recent starts and she appreciated the long straight.
Scone five-year-old Barricade a 100 to 1 winner at the recent Scone Carnival saluted at $21 in the final event the 1400 metre Benchmark 70 Concierge One Conditional Handicap.