Realize And Gray Do It Again
2 weeks after a special afternoon for Shane Gray and owner Jimmy Chua, Realize was back at Lingfield to create some more celebrations. After a convincing win at Lingfield, 13th February, Kevin had given his recent purchase a couple of weeks to freshen up. That 14 days proved a good respite for the 4 year old Realize, who travelled south once again in great form. Since his first win, the handicapper had given Realize a 6lb rise in the weights which was understandable considering his victory. Despite this increase, Kevin still felt there was plenty of improvement left and was confident the 6lb burden would not be stopping Realize.
Shane Gray has been catching everyone’s eye this winter and was once again the partner for Realize, having ridden him in all of his races since Kevin claimed him.There was only 6 runners going to post for the Ladbrookes Handicap, a 0-85 7f race, but it looked a tight affair. The punters and bookies were not making the same mistake again with Realize and he was supported into 11-4jf.
Jumping from the stalls there was a couple of runners keen to take up front running duties and force the action. The pace began strongly and Shane was happy to take a lead, settling towards the inside and with only one runner behind. Realize had shown a good turn of foot when winning last time and Shane was wanting to utilize that again. The pace up front soon slacked off, causing a couple of the field to become keen and fight for their heads. Realize was travelling smoothly against the rail but would still have to pass almost every runner to win. The field were soon heading into the final bend, leaving only 3f to run. Shane was oozing confidence as he had yet to move a muscle. The leader began to wind up the pace heading into the bend, and as the field rounded it into the home straight, quickly there was daylight between the front running Whaleweigh Station and the rest. Coming off the bend Shane began to work and ask for Realize to lay down a challenge. The 4 year old quickly moved through the field with Shane weaving a passage between horses. Having to move to the outside of the field for a clear run, Shane now had daylight and was urging his mount to close the gap. Realize was willing but it looked as the leader had first run and was going to hold on. Both horse and jockey were willing and Realize began clawing back the advantage with every stride. In the final few strides they drew alongside and in the next stride passed the long time leader. At the line Realize held a 1/2 length advantage but was probably worth a little bit more.
Realize is certainly thriving at the moment and turned in another strong performance. That’s two wins at Lingfield now and there is a race on Good Friday that he may be aimed for now. Shane racked up another winner to keep his all-weather apprentice title challenge firmly in place as he now leads by 2. It was another good day for owner Jimmy Chua who once again took the short drive to Lingfield to celebrate another winner.