Placed at his first three starts, Irish Crickets made no mistake at his fourth in the Victorian Wakeful Club Maiden (1400m) at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.
Ridden by Ben Melham for Matt Laurie, the 3yo son of Deep Field was never headed in defeating the 4yo Reliable Man (GB) debutant Parabellum by two and three-quarter lengths with the 3yo Overshare gelding Segment a short-half-head back in third.
“I was comfortable with the lead and had him in a lovely rhythm,” Melham said.
“He is a horse I have always had some time for. He has been a bit slow in maturing, but I don’t think we have seen the best of him. You will see that next prep.
“He has good cruising speed, and this was a good race to use it. He is still learning when he is hung up behind them, and it takes a bit to pick up. When he dictates like today, he is very efficient.”
Bred by Mark Crawford, Irish Crickets was a $150,000 purchase for Spyglass from the Holbrook Stud consignment at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He is the second winner from three to race for the talented Blackfriars mare Miss Vinnoire, a 5-time winner and 5-time stakes-placed.
From the family of the top-class racehorse and stallion Imposing, Miss Vinnoire foaled a Magna Grecia (IRE) colt last spring.
Newgate Farm’s Deep Field had another productive day.
His 3yo son, Sport’s Legend, broke his duck at start four with a dominant performance over 1000m at Randwick-Kensington, and Willie Pike guided the 3yo filly Deep Envy to a maiden success at Puinjarra.
