There was no need for Our Luciano to rely on luck in Bendigo last night…he made his own!
Facing an arduous task from his outside of the second row draw, Our Luciano simply outstayed his rivals to capture a APG Vicbred Super Series heat victory.
Back in the care of original trainer Keith Cotchin in preparation for the futurity, Our Luciano was driven confidently by Alex Ashwood, who settled the gelding outside the leader, Sir Jimmy.
Forging his way to the front halfway along the home straight, Our Luciano staved off a late challenge from Odin along the sprint lane to score by a head.
Sir Jimmy battled on to be a head away third.
“I’m very happy with him,” Cotchin said. “He is in a really good spot at the moment and looks to be back to where he was heading earlier in the season.
“He has had a few little problems, nothing major, but enough to put him off his game, but that seems to be behind him and hopefully he can go on now.
“That was a very strong run, but he is still learning as he showed last night. When he hit the front he waited as he doesn’t know how to run away from them yet.
“He came home after the race ate up and is bright this morning, so everything is on target.”
Taking his record to 10 wins and 15 placings from 35 starts, Our Luciano rated 1:56.8 over 2150 metres, which is 2.2 seconds slower than Miki To Success in the following heat.
Sent to the lead from barrier four by Jackie Barker, Miki To Success was never seriously challenged on his way to an eight-metre win from his stablemate, War Dan Buddy.
Our Rocker completed an Emma Stewart-trained trifecta when a metre away third.
IMAGES: Our Luciano’s past Melton victories (Stu McCormick)
