Patience is an accepted necessity owning racehorses but the connections of EXTORTIONIST deserve special mention following his breakthrough victory at Warwick Thursday.
The rising 5YO was having only his 5th trip to the races with his understanding owners entitled to think they were unsuspecting victims of his name!
However, his narrow triumph was justice, albeit hollow and also a landmark for rider Emily Lang. Under the expert guidance of trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted, the rising stable apprentice has now notched 80 winners in just over 12 months of riding, thus enabling her to compete outside country regions.
As for the nobly bred EXTORTIONIST, a son of I AM INVINCIBLE and brilliant juvenile AMELIA’S DREAM, his recent form had warranted a maiden scalp. Positioned perfectly by Emily in behind a crisp tempo, the gelding launched in the straight before clinging on gamely to just prevail.
“I was able to get him into a nice spot 3 pairs back, then work him through his gears and he wound up really nicely to hold on,” exclaimed a delighted Lang.
Whilst the quality of the opposition is in question and the venue is a long way from Eagle Farm, winning is the name of the game, so hats off to the deft placement of O’Dea/Hoysted. The win was Proven’s 45th for season 22/23 and 34th since January 1.