Lindsay Park galloper Gentleman Roy landed his first win in just on 18 months with an all-the-way at Sandown.
Gentleman Roy turned back the clock with his victory in the Tile Importer Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.
It was the rising eight-year-olds first success since taking out the Group 3 Barton Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance in January last year.
Providing Celine Gaudray with the second leg of a winning double, Gentleman Roy ($13) scored a short-neck win over Nicolini Vito ($4.80) with the $4 betting app favourite So Risque a long-head away third.
The three placegetters provided the trifecta for Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes.
Assistant-trainer Rahis Baig said Gentleman Roy was a stable favourite and it was good to see the gelding back in winning form.
“He had a little injury that was a little setback for him, but he had a nice long prep coming back to the races,” Baig said.
“He had a couple of building block races. Fitness wasn’t an issue, and it was a great ride by Celine.
“She rode him as he likes. He likes to be ridden up on the pace, take the luck out of the way and then kick away.
“Nicolini Vito got shuffled a little too far back and to his credit he ran a super race and So Risque is so consistent, so you can’t ask for more.”
Gaudray, who rode Mrs Chrissie to win the Lockettled.au Handicap (1000m), continued her good recent run of form with Saturday’s double.
She now needs just five more winners to outride her metropolitan claim.
“I had a double suspension, so I took a bit of a holiday and over winter, the weight is a little bit harder,” Gaudray said.
“I’m still getting plenty of rides, and only need five more winners to outride the claim.”
Gaudray said the inside draw on Saturday had played in Gentleman Roy’s hands.
“I let him go to the front under his own steam and kept him happy,” she said.
“Around the turn, I let him improve. He’s not a sit and sprint horse, so I let him improve.
“He was tiring late, but his fitness was great, and he’ll keep on improving.”
