Trelawney Stud graduate gets choice win

Wild Choice (Shamexpress x Exquisite Choice) broke through for a well-deserved maiden victory at Mornington on Tuesday. 

The Richard Laming-trained three-year-old had placed in each of his previous three starts and was backing up off a runner-up finish at Cranbourne nine days ago.

Wild Choice showed his intentions early in the Eliza Dry Cleaning Maiden Plate (1200m) on Tuesday, jumping swiftly as the gates opened and taking his spot as the early leader under a hold from jockey Michael Walker. He was never troubled in the running and gave his rivals the slip coming out of the turn, going on to win by 6L.

"I think he has more to give and I think he will get further," trainer Richard Laming said.

"Michael summed it up when he said he was pretty aggressive to get to the lead and he was too good for them.

"He was a bit more relaxed today and the race fitness and race experience, all those things taken into account, especially around this track when there were a lot of first starters and it is not an easy track to get around.

"He jumped, found the rail and Michael summed it up when he said he was just too good for them."

Laming indicated Wild Choice was likely to continue on this campaign and target a midweek race at Sandown.

Bred by Trelawney Stud, Wild Choice was sold through the farm's 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft when purchased by Laming for $60,000.