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A switch to waiting tactics paid off big time for The Big Easy on Friday.
The son of Super Easy won three in a row by leading but has also proven to be a handful when things don’t go his way, especially when ridden under restraint.
But a post-race feedback from jockey Vlad Duric at his last start when posted off the speed (fourth to Invincible Ryker in a Kranji Stakes C race over 1000m) had trainer Donna Logan mulling over a change of register in Friday’s $70,000 Class 3 race over the same trip.
New partner Ben Thompson was the one to be given the “licence to chill” – and he was right on target.
It was not plain sailing, though. After jumping on terms, The Big Easy was eased back into fourth place in transit by Thompson, but the wide-open mouth midrace and the intermittent head-tossing must have had Logan thinking there’ll be another day to tame that naughty kid of hers.
Upfront, Leticia Dragon’s newcomer from Perth, It’s Got It All (Simon Kok Wei Hoong), was not shirking the task either when he seemed to lengthen up again at the 300m, but The Big Easy was starting to motor home.
Thompson showed a mastery that belied his young age as it was him who had the last say in the man vs beast contest. Producing a late acceleration that had hitherto not been tapped, The Big Easy gathered in It’s Got It All before scooting off to an impressive win.
Kiss Your Song (John Powell) let down late, but could only pick second place 3 ¾ lengths away. It’s Got It All finished third another head away, beating another debutant Sacred Sham (Benny Woodworth) into fourth place by a short head.
Well-backed into $14, The Big Easy ran the 1000m speed scamper in 58.88 seconds.
“He is beginning to grow up. He’s been a work in progress,” said Logan.
“After his last start, Vlad said he didn’t overrace and he doesn’t necessarily have to lead. Today we tried that, he ran accordingly and he went home strongly.
“It was a great ride and a fantastic team effort, especially after (assistant-trainer) Graeme (Forbes) hurt himself. He dislocated his ankle and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Thompson was beaming at the weigh-in, fully aware that he was probably at that place by default, but all the merit was still his.
“I ride a lot of trackwork for Donna and I’m enjoying getting the results for her,” said the Australian jockey who was at a riding double after scoring earlier aboard Siam Warrior for James Peters (see earlier report).
“I realise I am lucky today as Vlad is ill (undergone surgery last week and will be out for a few weeks). It’s bad luck for him and I hope he gets well soon.”
The Big Easy has now established a handy record of four wins from seven starts for prizemoney that has hit around the $140,000 mark for The Big Easy Stable.
