Aspen Lad: Wanderson D’Avila’s big call on young gelding

If Aspen Lad can carry 60kg to a comfortable win over 1200m at Mackay on Tuesday, Darryl Johnston might be better off taking the gelding to Brisbane.

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If Aspen Lad can carry 60kg to a comfortable win over 1200m at Mackay today, Darryl Johnston might be better off taking the gelding to Brisbane.

That’s according to leading Far North Queensland jockey Wanderson D’Avila, who drove eight hours to Mackay yesterday for the prime ride in Race 1 of the program.

Aspen Lad is a last-start winner at Cannon Park over 950m, but the jump in distance and substantial weight should make today’s task a tad more challenging – which is exactly why D’Avila said a win could mean an even bigger challenge will be around the corner.

“He’s proved himself already, but if he can win comfortably they should take him to Brisbane,” D’Avila said.

“He’s a handy little horse but I’m not sure if he can handle the 1200m. He likes to lead, but I reckon if he settles we might be a good chance.

“We’ll see how he jumps then try to get him to relax.”

Aspen Lad has two wins and a second in three career starts.

He ran second at Mackay over 1050m in January, won at Townsville (1000m) on June 4 before his win, by almost five lengths, at Cairns on June 11.

D’Avila will have at least two other starts at Mackay, with Scary Spice and Invisible Girl for Peter Duncan and Joao Campeao respectively.

He’s also lined up a ride on Campeao’s Bimbimbi Barb, which is an emergency.

Originally published as Aspen Lad: Wanderson D’Avila’s big call on young gelding