Baby Power and Gavin Ryan (left) win from Powersville© Photo Healy Racing
Gavin Ryan completed a quick double when winning the Thanks To All Our Frontline Workers Handicap over 6f on 5/2 favourite Baby Power
The 7-y-o mare was winning for the fourth time in her career and had gone close when second to Plough Boy over the course and distance a week ago.
That was her first outing since last August, and she clearly came on for it as she came through between horses to lead inside the final furlong. Powersville looked a big threat down the stands’ side but was held by half a length at the line.
Winning trainer Gary Caldwell said: “Ideally her trip is six and a half. But I won’t be stepping her up in trip. Why change it when it works?
"She gets going late and that’s the way you have to ride her. She battles it out well, she’s a grafter.
“We're delighted with that. We thought she had improved from the last day
“She came out of the last race absolutely bouncing, she went out the next morning bucking and kicking so we knew she was in good form.
“She'll need a little break after that as she had two quick runs. We'll see where we go in a few weeks time.”
Gavin Ryan, riding his fifth winner of the season said: “She runs the same race every day. You take your time on her, plenty of cover and just come with one run.
"The gap was closing on me and she hadn’t hit top gear yet. In fairness she was tough enough to hold her own, and when she got into full flight she went on through it. She kept on gamely.
"She’s a big-framed filly and she’d have wanted the run the last day. This year she’s probably filled into herself.
"When she gets into the better grade of handicaps with a light weight on her back, she’ll have a good campaign."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
