By Jordan Gerrans
It was a fitting result for rookie apprentice hoop Brooke Johnson that veteran gelding Grand De Lago was her maiden winner on her race-day debut.
The duo have had their ups and downs in their time together.
The 19-year-old was tipped off the gelding not long ago – putting her on the sidelines with a severe rib injury.
But, if the Yeppoon-based youngster is not on board Grand De Lago, then track work becomes a nightmare for whoever is riding for the Benny Crear stable that morning.
So, for the bay gelding to be Johnson’s first victory as a professional jockey at Thangool on Saturday afternoon – a triumph that came by an amazing nine lengths for good measure – it meant the world to the up-and-coming rider.
“He has always had a special place in my heart, no one else can ride him and if they do, he ends up pulling or taking off,” Johnson said.
“I have always got on well with him. I was very lucky to be able to ride him.
“I spoke with my master about hopefully riding him on my first day riding, if that was going to be able to work out the timing, we did not think it was going to work out that way but it did in the end.
“We set him up for the race and he went on to win by nine lengths.”
It was a dream debut day at the races for the emerging Johnson.
She had a full book of engagements and while Grand De Lago was not her first official race ride, his race was not long after that and she barely had to wait to collect her breakthrough victory.
The son of Dream Ahead had not gone close in his last two trips to the races on TAB days but appreciated the drop back to country class at Thangool.
Despite his quirks, Johnson declares Grand De Lago is her favourite galloper in the Crear barn.
“Not that long ago he actually broke my ribs, he ducked out from underneath me and I must have just landed straight on my ribs, fracturing three and cracking another,” she remembers.
From barrier three, Johnson and her gelding strode to the lead, which continued to extend over the mile trip, and the keen youngster was even surprised about how well he went, aided by her four-kilogram claim.
The official winning margin was nine lengths in Benchmark 60 Handicap grade.
“I looked back at the corner – which is 200 metres from home – and they were eight lengths off me so I thought I had gone too quick,” she said with a laugh.
“But, I slapped him up and he kicked again, so we led all the way.
“He led that way the entire time, eight lengths ahead.
“He does not usually lead like that; he is mostly tucked behind in his races but he was happy – which is the key to him – keeping him happy and running along.”