The virtue of patience has long been espoused in the racing game, but it was more evident than usual in the win of MOONLIGHT GAMBLER at Newcastle on Thursday.
A rising 5yo gelding, MOONLIGHT GAMBLER had endured a catalogue of setbacks before breaking through at his fourth career start.
Among those setbacks was a quarter crack in his hoof and a bleeding attack following an unplaced finish at Canberra in August.
Getting back to the races, let alone winning, seemed improbable at the time.
But thanks to the careful training of Joe Pride and his staff, MOONLIGHT GAMBLER was nursed back to peak condition, culminating in Thursday’s maiden breaking victory over the 900m Broadmeadow course.
MOONLIGHT GAMBLER breaks through with a heart stopping win for favourite backers 😅@PrideRacing @inglis_sales @KenmoreLodge @SwettenhamStud @newcastleraces_ 🎥 @SkyRacingAU pic.twitter.com/DLhL0IwUd6
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) March 20, 2025
After stalking the pace from a wide barrier, the son of RUBICK was momentarily left flat footed in the straight but found another gear over the final 100m to score by three-quarters of a length for jockey Jay Ford.
The $1.75 price made for an uneasy watch for his supporters, but the tradesman like performance would suggest there are more wins in store for MOONLIGHT GAMBLER, whose overall record now reads a respectable four starts for a win and two placings.
He was a $110,000 yearling from Kenmore Lodge’s draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Sale and becomes Proven Thoroughbreds’ 37th winner for the season.
