Long Service Leaf (yellow cap) tapped the ability to accelerate out of trouble to his advantage in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Reunion Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
The lightly-raced 3yo sprinter started an odds-on favourite first-up since an initial spring campaign that generated two wins from as many starts at the same track over the same minimum trip.
Long Service Leaf (Long Leaf) travelled under a hold until coming off the home turn when Chris Parnham angled him towards the inside rail only to be held up for clear running between Gold Vancouver (Vancouver) and stablemate Magnachine (Lean Mean Machine).
“The one I followed didn’t take us anywhere but his turn of foot made all the difference and he got the job done,” Parnham explained after getting the better of Under Influence (Caravaggio). “He’s a happy horse and should keep improving this prep.”
Part-owner and trainer Neville Parnham reported Long Service Leaf had been working well since a spell hence the $1.95 starting price. “He’s been very good at home and we came here thinking he could win today. It was a bit sticky in the straight but with clear running he really attacked the line.”
Long Service Leaf was the first of five winners by former Rangeview Stud stallion Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) last week. He was followed by Flaming Ronda at Pinjarra on Thursday, Hard Leaf at Mount Gambier on Friday, Ourgirlcanrun at Belmont on Saturday and Favoured Son at Roebourne on Sunday.
He sired Long Service Leaf (Fastnet Rock) from Bellbridge Park mare Enshrined who had also thrown earlier winners Our Norman (Trade Fair) and Right To Silence (Universal Ruler). Her latest foals are a Maschino 2yo filly and Sessions yearling colt.
Enshrined (Fusaichi Pegasus) won 8 races in the North-West split between trainers Anne King, Ray Malpass and Ken Nightingale. She is one of four winners from Great Tradition (Rock Of Gibraltar) who is a three-quarter sister to Blackfriars.
