20 Oct 2020Le Gai Soleil opened her spring campaign in the best possible fashion this afternoon with victory at Randwick.
Tavistock’s progressive daughter was successful first-up over 1550 metres for trainer John O’Shea and rider Tommy Berry.
The four-year-old didn’t have it easy as she carried topweight of 60.5kg and gave the runner-up 2.5kg.
"You definitely can't underestimate how good that win was," Berry said.
"I just like horses that get the job done when they've got a lot against them and that's her. She had a big weight, dry track and a race that wasn't suited to her when they went slow. Not one horse has come from that position to win all day.
"For her to do that first up I'd hate to think what she's got in store for the rest of the preparation."
Le Gai Soleil has now won four of her six starts and she’s yet to finish further back than fourth in her six-start career.
Bred and part-owned by the Bax family, the mare is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Danzdanzdance.
It is also the potent family of Lucia Valentina, who was successful three times at the elite level.