Power Trip scores debut win in Maribyrnong Plate

First starter Power Trip scored a gusty win on a rain affected track down the grandstand side in the Group 3 $150,000 racing.com Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington today.

Power Trip, navy cap, lime sleeves, scores on debut in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The small field of seven two year olds split in the early stages of the Flemington straight with Craig Williams electing to go to the outside fence on the John MacArdle trained Power Trip ($9).

The Hard Spun gelding jumped cleanly and was a clear leader in the middle stages and had enough petrol in the tank to hold on by a head from Flying Artie ($6.50) who raced along the inside fence for Dale Smith.

The well bred John O’Shea trained Gloriete ($6) also raced on the inside of the track and battled on to finish fifth.

In a wide betting race, Valliano from the stables of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig was sent out the $5 favourite but failed to run a place.

McArdle revealed after the race that there had been plenty of interest in the $40,000 yearling and connections had knocked back an offer early in the week of $400,000 for Power Trip.

“We had had a few offers for him and it got up to $400,000 on Monday, but I had lunch with his owner Gary Mcilwaine and his wife and they said they wanted to race him and I think they are vindicated now,” McArdle said.

Williams had to throw his pre race tactics away when Power Trip began so well and instead of being tucked away behind the other runners, Williams found himself out on his own racing down the grandstand side of the track.

But both Williams and McArdle were happy with the result.

“The only thing I said to Craig was that we probably wanted to get him back off the speed a little bit, but that is way you put top jockeys on,” McArdle said.

“The horse jumped really really well, and was just travelling nicely himself and when he got away from the others I thought he might get a little bit lost here. But to the horse’s credit he stuck to his guns well and there was enough there in the finish.”

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Maribyrnong Plate Results