Walsh’s lad: Mornington-based trainer Terry Walsh lands his first winner in almost a year with his nine-year-old gelding, Kalashani Lad. Picture: Supplied

HORSE RACING

MORNINTGON-based trainer Terry Walsh landed his first winner in almost a year with his stable star, Kalashani Lad, on Wednesday 1 July.

Walsh, who has two horses in work, continued his affinity with the Sandown Racecourse to take out the sixth race with his nine-year-old gelding Kalashani Lad.

Kalashani Lad, who has picked up his last three wins at the track, once again returned to winning form with jockey Luke Nolen in the saddle. Sitting in-behind the leading pack, the homebred gelding of Victoria’s Mr K Cox peeled off their backs rounding the turn before proving too strong in the run home to win by a length over the Lindsey Smith-trained Choisborder.

Trainer Terry Walsh said the experienced gelding is racing as well as he ever has despite his rising age.

“He’s as good as gold,” Walsh said post-race. “He’s as good as ever really, even though he’s a nine-year-old.

“I doubted him a bit today with that weight (61.5kg), but he’s done the job.”

When asked about his gelding’s successful run at Sandown, Walsh couldn’t quite put his finger on the reason for it but gave a strong push for jockey, Luke Nolen’s, partnership with the nine-year-old.

“I used to always think he was better coming down the outside, but Luke’s done a marvellous job with him,” he said. “Three wins from four rides on him. You don’t have to tell him what to do – he’s great.”

With the victory, Kalashani Lad’s rating now jumps to 83 and will likely step up in grade next time he steps out. Kicking off his career as a late-season three-year-old, he now amassed just shy of $300,000 in prizemoney for connections.

First published in the Mornington News – 7 July 2020