Some love affairs start with a kiss.
Booming's love issues with group one racing began with a cough.
The highly talented, under-developed stayer was aimed at the Sydney Cup last autumn.
Trainer Jeff Lynds was excited about the chances of his horses, but a worrying cough had him more than
concerned.
"He had his final gallop the Sydney Cup and gave one big cough.
"We pulled him out of the race straight away."
Lynds, never one to worry about setting a horse a year-away target, aimed Booming at next year's Melbourne Cup.
He figured yesterday's group one $200,000 Zabeel Classic might not be a bad target on the way through.
So it proved. A pedestrian pace played right into his hands as it brought the hot favourite Red Ruler undone.
Red Ruler started racing too keenly and was left without the sharp sprint necessary to put a break on the others in the closing 350m.
Ideally suited, Booming dashed at them late to press past Red Ruler with pacemaker Ginga Dude holding on to third.
"They walked and that didn't suit him," said Mark Du Plessis of Red Ruler.
Michael Walker knew his best chance was to set as easy a pace on Ginga Dude as possible.
Du Plessis had no choice but to press the button early and challenge three wide on the home bend on Red Ruler.
When Booming came over the top of them Lynds was the least surprised.
"He's a very good horse, this.
"His whole season last time was ruined by a niggling cough. We just couldn't get rid of it."
Lynds said he has had a strategic plan in place for a while for the horse.
"We needed this one to get some weight for the [Melbourne] Cup."
The winning ride went to Vinny Colgan after Opie Bosson declared himself unfit to ride for the day.
"He's a good group rider and he's ridden for us before," said Lynds of Colgan.
Ginga Dude ran his heart out and his close third is a testament to his durability and to the ability of part owner and trainer Graeme Boyd to keep him at his peak after a tough Melbourne campaign.
One beaten runner with an excuse was Veloce Bella and James McDonald.
"She got pole-axed going out of the straight and lost interest after that.
"She can be a funny mare when things go wrong.
"You can forget that run."
Booming takes the win at the Zabeel Classic. Photo / Natalie Slade.
Some love affairs start with a kiss.
Booming's love issues with group one racing began with a cough.
The highly talented, under-developed stayer was aimed at the Sydney Cup last autumn.
Trainer Jeff Lynds was excited about the chances of his horses, but a worrying cough had him more than
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