LITTLE COINTREAU converted a series of placings into an overdue maiden victory when resuming at Hawkesbury on Sunday.
The 4yo gelding had placed in his four previous starts (including a 0.1 length and 0.38 length defeat) before disposing of eight rivals in the 1300m set weights maiden under the guidance of jockey Sam Clipperton.
Starting a $2.30 favourite after a host of scratchings, LITTLE COINTREAU landed in a lovely midfield position one off the fence before launching down the middle of the course to win by just under a length.
In six career starts, the son of CONTRIBUTER has only finished out of the money once, and on that occasion, he was only two lengths astern of the winner when seventh on debut at Kembla Grange 13 months ago.
Hopefully now the penny has dropped for this NZ-bred gelding, he can reward trainer Joe Pride and his group of Proven owners.
LITTLE COINTREAU was a relatively cheap $65,000 yearling from Wentwood Grange’s draft at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
He becomes Proven’s 50th winner for the calendar year and 13th for season 23-24.
