A more patient ride aboard talented three-year-old gelding Gangland reaped rewards this afternoon at Betfair Park Sandown Lakeside as his finished with gusto to win the $30,000 Galleon Super Vobis 0-68 Handicap (1600m) for three-year-olds.

Settling in a position with only two runners behind him, Gangland sprinted quickly over the concluding stages to gather on-pace runners Jewel Thief and Poison Ivy in the last couple of strides before the line.

Gangland ($5-$9) defeated Jewel Thief ($6-$8.50-$8) by a short head with Poison Ivy ($5-$6.50-$6) a further half head away in third.

Belgietto ($4.20-$4.40-$4 fav) finished fourth a further two lengths away after making up many lengths in the straight.

Gangland wins at Sandown Lakeside ahead of Poison Ivy and Jewel Thief

Winning trainer Danny O'Brien was thrilled with apprentice Billy Egan's ride as it brought out the best in Gangland.

"He might have found the secret to him there Billy, he rode him cold and he really hit the line sweet," O'Brien said.

Finishing second at Moonee Valley last start, O'Brien suggested there were some mitigating factors for his defeat.

"We pushed him up on the pace there at the Valley because you tend to need to do that at a night meeting but today ridden off the speed he looked a much better horse," he said.

"He's been a bit of a slow learner, he's done a few things wrong and made a compete mess of the Carbine Club (Stakes) but other then that he's runs have been good.

"He won a strong maiden at Echuca and beat Umatain who went on to win over the carnival," he added.

By More Than Ready our of Zoffany mare La Zoffany, Gangland is owned by O'Brien and Antonie Thompson.

"Anthony and I raced his dam together, La Zoffany, and we've had her up at Widden Stud punching away trying to bred something."

"Hopefully we've got a nice one to have a bit of fun with."

O'Brien raced La Zoffany with some success after a stint at Jim Conlan. She won three times at Group and Listed level, most notably in the 2000 Group 2 Marsh Classic (1600m) for fillies and mares at Morphettville.

La Zoffany was in O'Brien's name for only one of those stakes victories, the 2002 Listed Matron Stakes (1635m) at Flemington.

Gangland has had six starts for two wins and a placing. His prizemoney now stands in excess of $30,000.

Picture - Carl Di Iorio

© Cyberhorse 2024 Carl Di Iorio Published 25/11/09