YANCHA Boy surprised his jockey and trainer when he surged to a maiden victory in yesterday’s Freight Specialists Colts & Geldings Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Tamworth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The three-year-old chestnut son of Choisir had finished 13th of 14 at his only previous start (Hawkesbury) and then finished four lengths astern of Star Of Legs in a Scone barrier trial.
Star Of Legs was one of the favourites in Yancha Boy’s race yesterday and did hit the front when he sidled up to race leader Manitou in the straight.
No sooner had Star Of Legs reached the front, though, than Manitou fought back.
However, while Star Of Legs dropped off on Manitou’s outside, Yancha Boy was dashing through on his inside.
“I thought he was gone at the 600m,” winning jockey Daniel Northey told a surprised trainer Rod Northam, who had also thought his gelding was going to finish last midway through the scamper.
“He’s still learning,” the jockey said.
Northey believes he will “get 1200m” on that run while Northam admitted Yancha Boy’s win was a surprise.
“Being a Choisir might have helped,” he said. “He might be all right.
“He showed a little bit early on but he’s still green.”
A 20-1 chance, Yancha Boy’s win was the biggest surprise of an eight-race TAB day which also produced another longshot winner in the Peter Clare-trained Ice Chiller.
Tamworth trainer Craig Martin was the most successful trainer on the day, winning the feature race With Devilgate Road and then following up with a victory with flying grey filly Turning Grey.
