Largo Lad Resumes in Style

20th August 2008

Giant gelding Largo Lad (4g Encosta de Lago x Lady Marion, by Danehill) returned from a break of 17 weeks to score a dominant win at Sandown on Wednesday in the Ratings 89 event over 1400 metres.

Slowly away as is his habit, the David Hayes trained Largo Lad circled the field and powered to the line to win as he liked by more than two lengths.

“He’s a horse that makes a lot of mistakes,” explained David Hayes.

“We’ll leave the blinkers on him for these shorter races and then take them off later on. He’s like a long-legged teenager still and even if he doesn’t quality for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this year, we wouldn’t be overly worried as we believe he will be so much better next year in any case.”

Largo Lad chased home the best three year-olds in the land during the autumn, his best efforts when fifth to Light Fantastic in the Group One VRC Australian Guineas and fourth to Dealer Principal in the Group One STC Rosehill Guineas, his overall record now three wins from 10 starts with prizemoney of $119,913.

A $75,000 purchase for De Burgh Farrington from the Willow Park Stud draft at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Largo Lad was sold privately nearing the end of his last preparation as a three year-old and now races for a syndicate of Hayes stable clients.

A half-brother to smart Adelaide galloper Woodland Jack, Largo Lad is the second foal of former very good Danehill racemare Lady Marion.

A Group Two winner of eight races and over $400,000 in prizemoney, Lady Marion was offered at the 2007 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale with an Encosta de Lago filly at foot and was snapped up by Coolmore for $840,000.