Little Silk the Secret to Lad’s Success

Fleet footed sprinter Aspen Lad doesn’t leave home without his little sweetheart Silk.

And the couple again proved a perfect match after the Lad breezed to an all the way win the Open Hcp (1000m) on the Valentine’s Day program at Cluden Park on Saturday.

Silk, a grey Welsh-A Arab pony, is Aspen Lad’s constant companion and was there at Cluden on Saturday in the tie-up stalls right next to her man, keeping him calm.

Aspen Lad’s Rockhampton trainer Darryl Johnston says he’d be lost without her.

“Silk goes everywhere we race. She always comes with us. Without her he won’t settle, he’s a lunatic. He’s just not happy -  he needs a mate and he loves his pony.”

Johnstone has now won even races from 19 starts with Aspen Lad and especially pleased after his partner Natalea Summers executed a perfect front-running ride to claim his latest victory on Saturday.

The Lad, by the good country sprinting sire Bagger Vance, was having his third back from a start and the win was a return to form after two indifferent runs.

“There were good excuses for his first two runs back. The key today was he got his own way in front, It was his race, especially back on the minimum with no other leader,” Johnstone said.

“We were confident he’d win. 

“At Emerald last start he didn’t get to the fence and went wide on the turn and it was a bit messy. 

“First-up he was only about 75 per cent, but I thought he might have been good enough, but when Lily Of The Glen went mad in front it brought him undone.

“He’s only won once as a 3yo sliding up on the outside coming to the corner. He needs the fence and if he’s coming around the corner on the outside he won’t let down.

“He’s a horse that doesn’t drop the bit. He’ll want to charge and chase after it. He doesn’t get that breather.”

“I’m not sure what we do with him now. Whether we try and win another one and spell. He’s hard work leg management wise, he’s hard on himself.”

Trainer Georgie Holt (14 wins) extended her lead on the Townsville trainers premiership when Ciao Bicky made it back-to-back Cluden wins in the Carlton & United Breweries BM 58 Hcp 1400m).

Ridden by stable regular, Jackson Murphy, Ciao Bicky led most of the way to beat Victory For Us and comeback jockey Graham Kliese by 1 1/2 lengths with Zoomaratta 3 ½ lengths way third.

Townsville trainer Lilliana McCormack had plenty to cheer about when her improving three-year-old filly Catch Dis, with Lacey Morrison aboard, finished best to win the Magic Millions Gold Coast March 20-21 Mdn Plate (1000m).

Apprentice Isabella Teh produced a well judged ride to score on Proximate Cause in the tightest of finishes in the last, the Mitavite 0-60 Hcp (1000m).

Pictured: Trainer Darryl Johnston, his partner and jockey Natalea Summers, Aspen Lad and little Silk at Cluden after Saturday's win.

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