Hold The Line wins after pre-race scare
Feisty filly Hold The Line kept her unbeaten record intact as trainer David Vandyke plots a path towards the Magic Millions Guineas following her narrow win at the Sunshine Coast.
Hold The Line, heavily backed to start the $2.40 favourite, held off the fast-finishing Red Chase ($101) to win by a head in the James Ackerman Memorial Handicap (1200m).
The filly, having her first run after an 11-week let-up, dumped jockey Jeff Lloyd leaving the enclosure but was quickly recaptured.
“Lucky Jeff kept hold of her because she was ready to do about ten laps of the track,” Vandyke said.
“He rode her a treat and saved her up nicely. I thought she was going to gap them at the 250m when she let down good but, gee, she only had a head to spare at the finish.”
Vandyke believes Hold The Line is looking for more ground and plans to start her over 1400 metres at her next start.
The $2m Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 is the ultimate goal for Hold The Line who remains undefeated after three starts.
“I’d love to see her in the Guineas if she’s good enough so rather than give her a long break I just gave her a freshen-up and kept her on an aqua walker,” Vandyke said.
“She’s come back stronger, she looks well and now we’ll just map out a schedule to January 12.”
Hold The Line gave Vandyke the second leg of a winning double after he won the first race with Foxy Housewife.
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