Stable jockey Shaun McGruddy made sure bad luck didn’t strike twice at Ascot when he steered Odinaka to a two-length victory in the Amelia Park Plate (1000m) on Saturday.
Odinaka was stuck in traffic on debut a fortnight ago and went to the line under a stranglehold behind Snow Prince (Safeguard). McGruddy left the fence in plenty of time to launch a challenge second-up and the promising son of A Lot (USA) did the rest for a syndicate managed by trainer Steve Wolfe.
“He came through that run well and it was beaut ride today,” Wolfe said. “He’s a good, laidback horse and it helped when the favourite (Auspicious) was out the back. We have a few by A Lot and it’s great for Claire (Williamson) at Willaview Park coming up to the yearling sale.”
Wolfe believes Odinaka looks more like a Karrakatta Plate type but will wait and see whether to go again in the RL Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) at Pinjarra next Saturday. “He’s fit enough to butter up,” he claimed. “I had given him a couple of extra gallops so we will cuddle him and go for a swim this week.”
Odinaka was a bargain $20,000 buy for agent Noel Carter (Commercial Bloodstock Services) at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. His dam Hottington (Red Hot Choice) has already foaled the Oratorio winners Hot Blooded and Hotorio.
“He should have won by 100 metres last time,” McGruddy confirmed “We’ve all been held up but I’ve never experienced anything like that. He jumped a lot better today and, when the gap appeared, he put them to bed.
“I was happy to take it easy with the Magic Millions in mind until he started stargazing. He’s still green and will be all the better if there’s a few to run down.”
