12 Feb 2022Tavistock mare Le Gai Soleil gave every indication she was a black-type mare in waiting when she successfully resumed over 1300 metres at Randwick off the back of a five-month break.
The five-year-old settled well back in the field before rider Kerrin McEvoy asked her to pick up ground 600 metres from home and they had the leaders within their sights at the top of the straight.
Le Gai Soleil hit top gear to thunder down the outside of the track for an effortless victory, the sixth of her career.
“I was confident she would run very well, although I was concerned from the draw how far she would get off them, but to be fair the rain helped,” trainer John O’Shea said.
“She did really well during a spell and has developed and gone to another level this time. She will go to the Aspiration in three weeks and try and get some black type.”
Le Gai Soleil was bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax, who remain in the ownership group, and is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Danzdanzdance.