Gold Help (Affandi
Taib) comes with a well-timed run to win the Charity
Stakes.
However Gold Help missed the start and settled back in
the field before Affandi produced the gelding with a
strong finishing burst in scoring a half length victory
over Dustin (Saimee Jumaat) with Soldier Of Honour
(Robbie Fradd) a length-and-a-half away third.
¡°I
said to the kid (Affandi) that if you jump OK to ride
him handy, but if not, settle back and let him run on,¡±
said Burridge.
¡°I
was looking through the field and I couldn¡¯t see a lot
of pace, so I thought his best chance was being ridden
closer to the speed.
¡°But
it worked out well and the kid rode him perfectly and
both (horse and rider) are coming along really well.¡±
Burridge said Gold Help used to be ridden forward in his
races but plans were changed as the gelding used to ruin
his chances by over-racing.
The
gelding still has the habit of hanging-in during his
races, but Burridge said Affandi has a good
understanding of the Gold Help.
Gold
Help is an Australian bred four-year-old by Dangerous
from the Lake Coniston mare Poniard. He landed his
fourth win in 21 starts and took his prizemoney to
around the $180,000 mark for the Eight Eight One Stable.
