Reserve Bank has firmly established himself as a serious stud prospect after claiming a dominant victory in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday, rewarding the patience of his trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
The win marked Price’s fourth triumph in the time-honoured sprint and gave jockey Jamie Melham back-to-back wins in the race, having partnered Benedetta to success 12 months earlier.
Despite being well-mannered in the stable, Reserve Bank has been a challenge at the races, as Price explained post-race.
“He’s actually got a good temperament and a good brain, but he comes to the races and Matthew Chadwick has been wrestling him for three hours,” Price said.
“He had a ride and ran second earlier in the day, and I said, ‘You sure you’re up to this?’, but he never left him alone. He’s done a great job here with him.”
“He’s a typical colt. He’s full of himself and he’s a lad, the big alpha male colt.”
Melham allowed the $5.50 chance to find his rhythm early, and the colt responded in kind, weaving through the pack to surge past Sir Sway ($61) and defeat the $2.10 betting favourite Giga Kick, who finished third by a nose.
“He’s a Group 1 winner now as a colt,” Price said. “A beautiful, sound, big, strong, nice colt. I was a bit concerned in the run where he was.”
“I did say to Jamie, he’s a nice flow-along sort of horse. He doesn’t like the mixed messages and don’t drag him back.”
“Thankfully they ran along, and he was allowed to use his big stride late and he took off.”
Melham, who began her career in Adelaide and completed part of her apprenticeship under Price, was thrilled to land her first Group 1 for her former boss and described the win as particularly meaningful.
“He reared at the start and nothing really went to plan,” she said. “But I got a beautiful run in the end.”
“Giga Kick was on our outside, and I thought if I drag back now and get on his backside, he’s going to be too sharp, so we just rode for luck. The gaps came, and I was just a passenger.”
“It’s a very special race to win, and there’s nothing like winning a race back home in Adelaide in front of my aunties, Auntie Jan, and the family are here. It’s special, very special.”
Punters can expect Reserve Bank to feature in future Group 1 markets. To keep up with the latest odds and top bookmaker offers, visit our betting sites list.
