Excitement machine LARADO rectified a surprise defeat at the end of last preparation with a dominant first-up performance at the Sunshine Coast on Friday.
Lumping 60kg from the outside barrier, LARADO had the job ahead of him on a steamy night at Caloundra but his class came to the fore in a stylish 1.8 length victory.
Jockey Daniel Moor sensibly rode LARADO quietly from the gate and was able to find cover in the early stages of the 1000m dash.
Once presented to the outside, LARADO responded gamely to Moor’s urgings, reeling off a slick 33.29 seconds for his last 600m which included a 10.62 split between the 400m and 200m.
Never easy watching a $1.40 fav go around, so relief was the prevailing sentiment after LARADO resumed with a stylish win at @SCTurfClub for @hoystedracing & Daniel Moor last night. A @ThreeBridges1 grad from @mmsnippets pic.twitter.com/f6K2yEcGAn
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) January 10, 2026
Relief was the prevailing sentiment following the win, not only because of his $1.45 odds but also his seemingly inexplicable defeat back in September when sent out a $1.20 favourite at Eagle Farm.
Trainer Matt Hoysted suspects inexperience got the better of LARADO on that occasion but on Friday the 4yo gelding showed the penny is starting to drop.
“I couldn’t have been happier with his overall performance and the way he conducted himself in humid conditions as he’s a very free sweater,” Hoysted said.
“He switched off well and didn’t want to overdo things early in the race and then coming to the home turn he made a long-sustained run.
“He really extended well and was soft through the line.
“He’s got good improvement to come so that run will really bring him on now.”
Hoysted has tentative plans to send LARADO back to the races on Australia Day at Eagle Farm for another 1000m contest.
The son of TORONADO has now won two of his three career starts after being purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds for $175,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which gets underway again next Tuesday.
He becomes Proven’s 22nd winner for season 2025-26.
