Top Rada Scores Dominant Debut Win
- Saturday, 29 October 2011 03:31
Jockey Damian Browne predicted a bright future for promising youngster Top Rada following his dominant win at Doomben.
Top Rada came with a powerful finish to wear down the early leaders for a three-quarters of a length win over Caldetes in Saturday's YS Clothing Handicap (1110m).
Patinack Farm's Utilism finished third another neck away.
Top Rada was having his first start and was badly stirred up in the mounting enclosure before the race.
"He's generally not like that and is very quiet," Browne said.
"He got stirred up while parading and for some reason had a bee in his bonnet.
"I've got no doubt he'll get better with racing and he should make the grade later on."
Top Rada went into his first start without an official barrier trial but trainer Ray McCall was always hopeful the son of Top Echelon would perform well.
"He hadn't had a barrier trial but I gave him three jump outs," McCall said.
"I'm not sure why he got stirred up but maybe it was because it was his first day at the races.
"But another horse behind him did kick out and hit a plastic rail."
McCall revealed he bought Top Rada for $10,000 as an afterthought at the QTIS yearling sales at the Gold Coast.
"I had just bought one for $30,000 and I was heading home to Caloundra," McCall said.
"I spotted this horse in the sale ring and noticed he was by Top Echelon who I used to train.
"His dam, Dorada, has had three foals and every one now has been a winner."
Top Echelon, who is related to former top galloper Gunsynd, started seven times for two wins and was runner-up to Lovely Jubly in the Group One T J Smith at Eagle Farm in 2002.
McCall has no specific plans in mind for Top Rada, who is ineligible for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
"I'm in no rush with him but there's a 1200 metre race worth a bit of money coming up in about five weeks," he said.
