3 minute read

The connections of former Victorian galloper Creative Hero snared a big chunk of the money they paid for the gelding when he powered his way to an impressive win in the $30,000 Tasmanian St Leger over 2150m in Launceston on Wednesday night.

In Brief

• Second attempt to buy Creative Hero has paid dividends.
• Tasmanian record impressive.
• Cups in sight next season for gelded son of More Than Ready.

This latest effort was Creative Hero's best since arriving in Julie Richards ' Roches Beach stables in early January.

Creative Hero ($8) settled midfield and when rider Troy Baker called on the five-year-old to extend, he showed a brilliant turn of foot and had the race safely in his keeping at the top of the home straight.

He went on to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Stormont ($6.50) with So Astounding ($13) just under a half-length astern, while the favourite Sh'bourne Renegade ($2.25) was a half-length away fourth.

This latest effort took Creative Hero's Tasmanian record to two wins from only four outings that included a conditioning run in the weight-for-age Mowbray Stakes in Launceston at his first start in the state.

The gelded son of More Than Ready was purchased by the Richards family as a potential cups horse and while he didn't attempt those race this season, Keith Richards is optimistic about the horse's future as a stayer.

"We were going to tip him out for a spell after his last run in a benchmark race, but he did so well we opted to aim him at this race and I'm glad we did," Richards said.

"He was ridden really well by Troy (Baker) and he got in with a light weight (54kg) and I don't think he's ever carried that light a weight during his whole career."

The gelded son of More Than Ready began his racing career in Western Australia with Grant and Alana Williams for whom he won three in succession immediately following a debut second at Pinjarra.

His third career win was in the Challenge Stakes, a $100,000 Listed event at Ascot over 1500m.

After finishing seventh of nine to 2020 All-Star Mile winner Regal Power, Creative Hero was transferred to the care of Adam Durrant, but from four starts for that stable his best effort was a third at Ascot.

The gelding then went to Victoria to join the Shea Eden stable, and it was then that the Richards family made inquiries about buying the gelding.

"When we first showed interest in buying this horse, they wanted way too much money but after he failed a few times in Victoria we renegotiated and picked him up for a lot less."

Richards would not divulge the purchase price but the gelding's two wins in Tasmania have gone a long way to covering all costs.

Creative Hero won a benchmark 74 in Launceston at his second start for Richards with Brendon McCoull aboard and while not super impressive, he did enough to convince his trainer there should be more to come.

Richards said Creative Hero would now head to the paddock and return to racing in the spring.