23 Sep 2021It was with a fair degree of relief that we cheered Laffalong to a smart victory at Cranbourne this afternoon.
Full credit to trainer Nigel Blackiston for turning the mare’s fortunes around after her last visit to the course had resulted in disaster when she remained in the gates and took no part.
“We had put the blinkers on her and she banged her nose and panicked and just stayed in there,” Blackiston said.
“A lot of hard work has gone into her and she’s on the right track now.”
Laffalong was away well today and settled midfield and one off the fence before she was pushed back in the running and rider Michael Dee was forced to press on wide near the turn.
The daughter of All too Hard unwound powerfully to win for the third time in just nine appearances.
“That was a good confidence boost for her and my team. She’s always showed promise and hopefully we can build on this and head to better things,” Blackiston said.
Laffalong was bred by Wallings Bloodstock and was a AU$260,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase from Tyreel Stud.
She is the first foal of the winning Zabeel mare Smiles For Layla, a half-sister to the G2 Light Fingers Stakes winner Adrift and the Karaka Million winner Xiong Feng.
Their dam Stray is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Maldivian and also the family of the G2 Sheraco Stakes winner Entriviere.