27 June 2018 | Graham Fischer
Despite his age, Floyd Mayweather has already proved a good investment for South Australian trainer Rob Caruso.
At Globe Derby Park on Saturday, Floyd Mayweather notched his third win for Caruso leading throughout to win the BGC Industrial Cleaning Supplies Claiming Pace (1800m).
A $2.80 chance driven by Wayne Hill, the 10-year-old was able to hold the lead from gate one and held on to score a 1-1/2 metre win from Saab Magic ($1.70 fav) with Regal Knight ($18.80), 4-1/2 metres away third.
“I had my eye on him for quite a well,” Caruso revealed. “I know quite a few people in Queensland and rang them to get some intel on the horse and felt the responses encouraged me to take a chance, so I claimed him for $5000.
“Already in just a couple of months he has picked up more than $8000 and I’m hoping he has a few more wins here in Adelaide. He seems to be loving life here with me where I train up in the foot hills roaming a paddock during the day and I actually have only hoppled him a couple of times.”
Caruso also took Floyd Mayweather to Melton a week earlier and the gelding ran a good second to Classy Western.
On Saturday, the gelding showed good speed to lead from gate one, and the favourite, Saab Magic, dropped onto his back to trail.
Hill rated Floyd Mayweather perfectly with comfortable 31.8 and 31.1 second first quarters before coming home in 29.0 and 28.3.
Danielle Hill, on Saab Magic, used the sprint lane to chase the winner but couldn’t make up the ground.
Caruso is hoping Floyd Mayweather has another season or two of racing.
There is a chance he could replace My Man Dan as the Caruso stable favourite.
Now a 12-year-old, My Man Dan finished fourth earlier in the night in the Maughan Thiem Ford Mustang Claiming Pace (1800m).
“I thought he should have finished a little closer,” Caruso said.
“I know he is getting to the end of his career and he has been a wonderful horse for my stable. Paleface Jasper was great for me, then My Man Dan came along and has won an incredible 25 races for the stable and 51 overall to be an outstanding pacer flying under the radar a bit.
“So perhaps the pressure is now going to go onto Floyd Mayweather.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
