LANE’S GRAFTON DOUBLE WORTH THE TRIP

WYONG trainer Damien Lane’s trip to Grafton paid off with a winning double today – and without his star apprentice Anna Roper.

Lane called on Armidale apprentice Shannen Llewellyn to step in to Roper’s shoes to score on stablemates La Pelago and Bold Rouge.

La Pelago ($2.60 favorite) bolted in with the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1006m), and Bold Rouge was at a more lucrative $18 to land the Maiden Plate (1560m).

Lane took the two horses to Grafton yesterday, and was on his way home this evening as he has last start winner Jamakin Money running at Warwick Farm tomorrow, and Singing Star and Wealthy Investor lining up at Scone on Thursday.

Roper is serving a brief three-day suspension incurred at Tamworth on January 23, and will be in action at Warwick Farm.

“Anna would have gone to Grafton as La Pelago’s race was a heat of the Rising Star series for apprentices,” Lane said.

“Fortunately, I was able to book Shannen to ride both our winners.

“I knew her when she was at Wyong initially before becoming apprenticed to Brett Robb at Dubbo, and is now with Jane Clement.

“Shannen has had only four rides for me.

“She made the long trip to Nowra on New Year’s Eve and ran third on both Bold Rouge and Canamble.”

La Pelago, a four-year-old daughter of Star Turn, is really hitting her straps now; this being her second win on end after scoring at Dubbo on January 14.

“La Pelago is a big girl, and was probably too big to adequately cope with her racing earlier.

“She broke through at Taree last September and her only poor run this time in work was at Quirindi in late October when she didn’t handle the track.

“The ability has always been there, and since she has had a wind operation, she is starting to show it.

“I’m sure she can win more races.”

La Pelago drew the inside barrier, and Llewellyn had her poised behind the leader Once A Lady ($16), then got a saloon passage on the inside on straightening when that mare veered a little wide.

She took full advantage and scooted through to quickly put the issue to bed, scoring by more than two and a half lengths.

Former Queenslander Bold Rouge joined Lane’s team last year, and was having her fifth run for him.

“She was placed over 1600m at Nowra on December 31, and I was looking forward to stepping her up further to 1700m,” Lane said.

“But the race was shortened to 1560m because the ‘chute was wet, and I thought perhaps they might be a bit sharp for her.

“However she began well from a wide draw and though caught wide early had some cover.

“Shannen gave her a good ride, made her run on the home turn and she finished strongly in the centre of the track.”

Bold Rouge overhauled $2.45 favorite So You Are to put her first win on the board at her 13th start after five minor placings.

Lane’s double boosted his season’s tally to 13, and career number to 314.

. La Pelago and Bold Rouge’s promising stablemate Turf Fever will start next at Wyong on Thursday week.

The Cosmic Force three-year-old scored on debut at Port Macquarie on December 29 before being narrowly beaten by Still Alice on his home track on January 26.

Story John Curtis, February 4, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos