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<\/p>\n
“Let’s have a crack at Flemington now on Melbourne Cup day in the 2800-metre race.<\/p>\n
“The further the better for this horse.”<\/p>\n
A benchmark 70 win continued a wonderful resurgence by Haaland, whose career was in jeopardy after being diagnosed with cardiac arrythmia following his final run for Hickmott in January this year.<\/p>\n
Sent to the Boyds to recuperate following surgery, the two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer selflessly decided to leave him in their care.<\/p>\n
Haaland’s Geelong win was his third overall from 23 starts that include 10 placings.<\/p>\n
He was unlucky not to have notched up his first city win one start earlier than Sandown, beaten only narrowly over 2550m at Flemington in late-September.<\/p>\n
Having performed her dual roles as trainer and in the saddle to perfection, Lucinda Boyd admitted to a few anxious moments in the straight as Haaland loomed up to the leader Karburan, but took until right on the line to get his nose in front.<\/p>\n
“I was a little worried with the scratchings that there would be a lack of speed and I would be caught having to lead, but I had it in the back of my mind that he was fit,” she said.<\/p>\n
“He pulled quite hard last time and was able to get the job done. It just worked out beautifully.<\/p>\n
“Jumped neutral, settled nicely, had some nice cover and rounding the corner he really tracked up underneath me.<\/p>\n
“He’s a real rascal because he gives you the impression that he’s going to put lengths on them, but he loves a mate. He really loves a mate.<\/p>\n
“Rapt for him to get two in a row.”<\/p>\n
The long-term aim for Haaland remains a tilt at next year’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN exhilarating few months for Ballarat racing couple Lucinda and Anthony Boyd with their rejuvenated stayer Haaland will reach a crescendo on the biggest day on the Australian racing calendar. The in-form seven-year-old gelding is Flemington-bound on Melbourne Cup day, after making it back-to-back victories for the Boyds on Geelong Cup day last week. Haaland’s […]<\/p>\n