22 June 2020 | Chris Barsby
Did Charlie Cini unearth a potential gem across the weekend at Albion Park?
On a night where star performers Colt Thirty One and Speech Is Silver delivered in spades with their customary brilliance to win their respective events at Albion Park, it was the newcomer that had plenty talking.
Cini is no stranger to working with quality stock and the astute Jacobs Well horseman produced former Newcastle pacer Roll With Lachlan to an audacious victory in the Mr Feelgood @ Egmont Park Stud Pace when he scorched the famous Breakfast Creek oval in a time of 1:53.0.
He covered the 1660m in splits of 27.4, 29.4, 28.6 and 27.7 seconds when leading throughout and providing reinsman Shane Graham with an armchair drive.
Across the mammoth 11 race program, it was the fastest time of the night.
It was a stunning victory in what was his local debut.
“This is a very smart horse; he’s got the looks, lovely manners and a big motor so he’s destined for bigger and better things during his time up here. I’ve only had him for a fortnight and I had no hesitation bringing him straight to Albion Park for his debut.” Cini said.
With a drastically altered Queensland winter carnival starting to take shape owing to COVID-19, Cini is starting to weigh up his options with his latest recruit.
Roll With Lachlan will bypass racing this weekend with the Redcliffe Club hosting the Saturday metropolitan program with several features planned.
“He’ll have this week off from racing and we’ll go again the following week at Albion Park, he’s come through the race in great shape and was carrying on in a good way on Sunday afternoon so he’s feeling very well and Shane (Graham – driver) said he had gears left.
“His record is impressive and he’s been carefully managed throughout his career and he’s ready to step it up a gear now that he’s up here but mind you, the racing up here is very hard and competitive so it won’t be easy but I like this horse.
“I’m not sure what’s available for him next month with the carnival but I’ll sit down and check the programs and see if something suits, he’s destined to reach open class.”
Cini was sent Roll With Lachlan from owner/breeders Geoff and Matt Harding after establishing a connection with the father/son partnership last year after buying Ima Birubi Boy from their stable.
Roll With Lachlan has won 8 of his 29 starts with 10 minor placings while his earnings have now surpassed $63,000.
Meanwhile, Tulhurst Santanna created a strong impression in his local debut when he scored in the $15,000 Open at Hoosier Park, Indiana in a time of 1:49.4 across the weekend.
The Santanna Blue Chip enjoyed considerable success in Brisbane under the guidance of Cini and his wife Cristina Monte after coming from Bathurst horseman Nathan Hurst.
Tulhurst Santanna is now prepared by Jamie Macomber.
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