Joe Pride’s decision to change tactics and add blinkers paid off handsomely as Estadio Mestalla caused a $61 upset in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
Frustrated by two poor runs this prep, Pride took a bold approach for Saturday’s race — and the gelding responded.
“It’s not like him to be out of the money like that,” Pride said.
“I felt like I had to do something… It was good to see him out there rolling along and he looked happy and comfortable.”
Given a positive ride by Dylan Gibbons, Estadio Mestalla led throughout to defeat Robusto ($13) by 1-1/2 lengths, with stablemate Accredited ($5.50) in third.
A former $70,000 buy from Chris Waller, he was runner-up in last year’s Little Dance and is on track for another shot.
TRL’s Terry Kennedy said the win was one of the syndicate’s biggest, adding, “We will try to qualify this horse for the Little Dance again and try to win it this time.”
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