The Mike Moroney-trained debutante Elkington Road made the best possible start to his career over 1200m at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday to become the twenty-second winner of the season for All Too Hard.
Eased out of the early speed battle by Jamie Mott, Elkington Road tracked into the race to be third of the five runners in straightening. Displaying an impressive turn of foot, Elkington Road put paid to the leader Ferrari Man (Menari) in a matter of strides.
The 3yo gelding won by a widening two and a quarter lengths from the Tulloch Lodge representative Ferrari Man with Hawkes Racing’s Nicodemus Impending colt a further three-quarter of a length back in third at his career debut.
“Even though it was a small field, it was an impressive win,” Mott said.
“He is a horse that is still very raw. He began a little too quick and wanted to run through the bridle.
&ldq
uo;They didn’t go at hectic speed, but I let them go a got into a good rhythm. I had a look coming into the straight, everything was under pressure, and I was cantering.”
A $100,000 pinhook from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Elkington Road made $240,000 to the bid of Paul Moroney Bloodstock / M Moroney when offered by Northmore Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Premier.
A half-brother to Group III-placed Rocket Fuel (Smart Missile), Elkington Road is the fourth winner from as many foals from the winning Snitzel mare Sherbet Bomb.
An $85,000 purchase for Platinum Breeding And Racing / Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2019 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, Sherbet Bomb is a daughter of stakes-winner and Group 1 NZ Oaks third Lady Annaliese (Groom Dancer).
Sherbet Bomb has a yearling colt by Pride Of Dubai and visited Bivouac last spring.
