Sir Remlap continues fight back from serious injury with a barnstorming win at Randwick

Injury almost ended the career of Sir Remlap before it really started but the gelding made it back to the track and continued his winning ways with an impressive win at Randwick.

Sir Remlap scored his third win from four starts in his comeback from injury at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Sir Remlap continued his remarkable comeback from a potentially career-ending injury and showcased his claims for the lucrative Country Championships series with an impressive win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Emerging apprentice Mitch Stapleford guided Sir Remlap from back in the field for a fast-finishing win in the TAB Highway (1200m).

Stapleford conceded Sir Remlap is racing like a horse looking for further now which only added merit to the gelding’s win.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“I think he is crying out for 1400m now,” Stapleford said.

“I was off the bit and chasing a long way from home despite being back in the field. He’s a very, nice horse.”

Sir Remlap ($4.60 equal favourite) finished too strongly for Highway Strip ($4.60 equal favourite) to score by three-quarters of a length with Scopics ($17) a length away third.

Trainer Scott Singleton wasn’t on track for Sir Remlap’s win but he can now concentrate on setting the four-year-old for the Country Championships series which culminates with the $1 million final at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Sir Remlap scored his third win from just four starts in his comeback preparation after he suffered a tendon injury soon after his debut second at Muswellbrook and spent more than a year on the sidelines.

“A lot of horses don’t come back from the injury he had,” Stapleford said.

“I’m really happy for the owners because they are getting the rewards for their patience now.

“This horse keeps stepping up to every challenge Scott gives him. Today was a very strong Highway and to be able to come from near last off a hot tempo and win was incredible.”

Sir Remlap charges home along the outside to win for @singletonracing! pic.twitter.com/bnymN7Bywc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

• Magic Millions betting turned on its head as Nero reigns

Highway Strip enhances his claims for the Country Championships despite being run down late by Sir Remlap.

Trainer Danny Williams said Highway Strip is “still a big baby” and the three-year-old racing manners cost him the race.

Highway Strip was first-up from a spell and gave champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy a difficult ride when he tried to run off on the home turn.

“The horse got a bit lost on the turn,” Williams said. “He has never done that before.

“But Kerrin said to his surprise he still thought they were going to win halfway down the straight before the horse got a bit tired late.

“The penny hasn’t dropped with this horse yet, he is still learning and that was our big concern coming to the Highway today.”

Williams said Highway Strip has the potential to be as good as his former stable star, Don’t Give A Damn.

“The penny hasn’t dropped with Highway Strip yet,” Williams said.

“But once he gets his bearings and gets it all together, he is going to be a nice horse.”

Left Field wins by the tightest of margins in a photo finish! @BWiddupRacingpic.twitter.com/Sjt8xi0mC9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

• ‘Sandown saved’, but Rosehill sale investigation continues

■ Trainer Brad Widdup may consider a Magic Millions campaign for Left Field after her thrilling win in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m).

Left Field ($7), ridden by Rachel King, came from near last on the turn with a powerful late surge to run down Jewellery ($2.90 favourite) in the very last stride with Queen Of The Mile ($4.60) the closest of thirds.

“I was happy to learn this morning the track came up a soft 5,” Widdup said. “I think that bit of give in the track helped Left Field today.

“She’s a good mare on her day and I might look at taking her to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race (January 11).

“We might struggle to make the field but if she gets a run, the 1300m would suit her.”

King has positioned Left Field in Jewellery’s slipstream for most of the race but in the sprint to the finish, she wasn’t confident of reeling in her rival until right on the line.

“For most of the straight I didn’t think she was going to get there but she never stopped trying,” King said. “On the line I thought we had just won.”

Originally published as Sir Remlap continues fight back from serious injury with a barnstorming win at Randwick