Rising returned to the Ballarat winners’ enclosure for the second time in three starts thanks to a tough front-running effort on Monday (October 31).
The Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Widden Stud-owned gelding was an impressive winner at the Victoria track three starts ago and banished any bad memories of an under-par effort last time out thanks to a well-judged ride from young Matty Chadwick.
The Ciaron Maher Racing-trained gelding had an awkward draw out in barrier 11 but managed to get to the front of the field thanks to some heads-up riding from Chadwick. Not wanting to expend too much energy in getting to the four-year-old’s preferred position, the rider took his time and allowed Rising to use his natural speed to round the field. From there, the pair dictated the fractions and had the peloton stretched as they turned for home. Chadwick again showed great maturity in not going for his mount too soon and the son of I Am Invincible was a more than willing partner as they put more daylight between themselves and their rivals. Rising’s petrol gauge was flicking on empty in the final stages, but he showed great heart to maintain the lead and land a three-quarter of a length success.
“I’d give the ride a 10 out of 10,” Ciaron Maher Racing’s Jack Turnball told Racing.com post-race. “We gave advice rather than instructions. He was drawn wide and he (Chadwick) let him use his natural speed to come over when he was ready.
“He loves this track and distance, and he needs firm footing. We’ll have to plot a path now and hope the weather improves now its spring. We’ll keep pressing on with him, he’s very well-seasoned and the team down at the beach in Fingal and Cranbourne do a great job with him. He has a great constitution, fit and well, so I see no reason why he can’t keep running.”
A gutsy effort by Rising to hold on after leading the whole way around 😤@cmaherracing @mattychadwick98 pic.twitter.com/zWNvq8kb1C
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 31, 2022