Eleven Seconds Back With A Bang
27 January, 2018
Thoroughbred
The Chris Gangemi stable has continued its stunning run of form, with Eleven Seconds producing a brilliant display first-up to take out the Amelia Park Handicap (1400m) at Ascot this afternoon.
Gangemi has had eight winners from his last 13 runners, including a victory in the Summer Scorcher on New Year’s Day with Battle Hero, and two wins to former eastern states galloper Shackleton.
Eleven Seconds’ win was all the more impressive, given he was first-up for more than 10 months, after he broke a splint bone in his leg and had surgery following his last start third in the Bunbury Cup last year.
Gangemi said the recent success was satisfying after a tough few months for the stable.
“A few months ago we had a virus go through the stable and we had to tip everything out,” he said.
“We have started again the last month and we have some nice horses coming back to the races.”
The Encosta De Lago gelding raced three-wide without cover the whole trip for jockey Shaun McGruddy, with race favourite Wrinkly setting a solid tempo in front.
Flying Roar sat just off the speed, and battled on well to run third, while the Mandurah Cup quinella of Red Publisher and Classical Prince finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Gangemi said Eleven Seconds would have another tilt at the Bunbury Cup in March after today’s result.
“It’s perfect timing, there’s a 1600 in a fortnight, then the Detonator (Stakes) and the Pinjarra and Bunbury Cups,” he said.
“He sat three wide with no cover and blew them away, it was a great win.”
It was almost a winning double for Gangemi, as Vandemonian went down less than a length to Dutch Spy in the Merrywell Handicap (1100m).
The Paul Roberts-trained gelding was also first-up this afternoon, and took his record to four wins from 15 starts.
Tim Walker