Soho Darknstormy returns to the winners circle

Former star juvenile Soho Darknstormy (Lazarus) showed a welcome return to form leading all the way and holding off his rivals in the Hall Of Fame Mahar Family Pace at Melton on Saturday night.

Drawn out in five, Soho Darknstormy showed sparkling early speed to take up the running. Zenario was caught outside the leader while the capable mare Miss Ari was one out and one back with the well supported Words right behind her.

After getting a breather mid race driver Kate Gath released the brakes and ran his last two quarters in 27.2 and 27.1 seconds which made the tasks of those chasing even more difficult. But Miss Ari out three wide and Words four wide kept grinding away. The post could not come too close for Soho Darknstormy as he held on to win by a short half head with Words a close third.

SOHO DARKNSTORMY 29 AUG REPLAY

As a youngster when trained by Rickie Alchin at Menangle and as a two year old was successful in the Heat and Final of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge at Menangle.

Later on he was purchased by Norm Jenkin and ended up in the Andy Gath stables.

Soho Darknstormy’s New Zealand’s dam The Blue Lotus (Grinfromeartoear) raced only 15 times for two wins.

Kate Gath reflected after the event.

Yeah, well, he’s just funny. He likes that high speed and thought he was a bit plain last start and yeah, thought I got the cheap second quarter.

I thought I probably shouldn’t have gone, gone quite this slow because he likes that dash, but he got the job done, so it was good.

The 1700 metres probably did help, but he can do either distance, but the 17 probably helped, but you know, 27’s about, probably about as fast as, he can go speed wise. So, yeah, it was good to get the job done.

I reckon we’ve had him about, what, six months or so Norm (Jenkin owner) was able to purchase him. Yeah, probably… Maybe a bit longer, I think. Look, he’s been a really handy horse and done quite a good job. You know, he’s probably, like, worth, looking to the States at some stage as well. He’s getting up in grade now, but he can run tight. He’s got good gate speed, which as you know, makes all the difference and can put you in the race. So that’s a huge help, the gate speed.

Miss Ari was a huge run in her narrow defeat and she is proving herself to be a more than capable mare.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink