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Sesar stakes winter claims after Ken Russell Memorial win.

5 May 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Under-rated youngster Sesar staked his claim for the rich winter juvenile races with an upset win in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Sesar, a late pick-up ride for Brad Pengelly after Paul Hammersley was indisposed, stormed home to down Boomsara by three-quarters of a length in the 1200-metre Group 3 feature.

The Chris Waller-trained Lean Mean Machine made up many lengths after being slow and caught wide to finish third, a further 2-1/4 lengths away.

Trainer Steve O’dea was confident Sesar would take a power of beating after the son of Sebring finished second at the Sunshine Coast on April 14.

“His run was super at the Sunshine Coast and he wasn’t suited at his first run at Doomben when it favoured leaders,” O’dea said.

“I thought he was a good chance if there was pressure on up front but he had to take advantage of any runs on the inside.

“He’s only lightly raced with this run being only his third start and he’s on an upward spiral.”

O’dea said Sesar would now target the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 26.

“I’ll look at the Sires’ next and nominate him for the J J Atkins but he’s a little on the immature side just now and needs to improve more,” he said.

The Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) will be run at Doomben on June 9.

Local star Dreams Aplenty earlier claimed the Listed Gold Coast Cup (1400m) in an all Queensland finish.

Ridden by Tegan Harrison, who recently made a comeback from injury, Dreams Aplenty led most of the way to hold off the fast finishing Aqua Vite by a half neck with Charlie Boy, a neck away, third.

Dreams Aplenty won last year’s Group 3 Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm and was having only his second start back from a spell after resuming with a third to Mishani Honcho at the Sunshine Coast last month.

“This is so emotional for me,” Zielke said.

“I’ve loved this horse since he was a two-year-old and I declared him two weeks ago.

“He doesn’t lay down in a dog fight. He makes his own luck and sometimes is left a sitting duck in front.”

Zielke is undecided about Dreams Aplenty’s future in the winter carnival but plans to step him up in distance.

“He’ll go to 1600 metres next start but I’ve got to find a suitable race for him,” he said.

“If there’s no race around that suits he might even go over the border.”

Dreams Aplenty was a $26,000 buy as a Magic Millions yearling and has now won more than $387,000 in prizemoney with seven wins and as many placings from 20 starts.

Racing Queensland webnews   May 5