Smart Alex a Last Race Long Shot King

It had all been so promising for gangly gelding Spontaneous Choice after he won on debut for Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff.

He lobbed at 100-1, with some modest stable support, in a maiden at the rich Cairns Amateurs.

That was in September 2023.

In 10 subsequent starts disappointment, not even a place.

That is until Thursday at Cluden when Spontaneous Choice decided it was time to fire.

He upstaged a field of 14 and took out the last – 0-55 BM Hcp 1200m) – at an official starting price of – yes you guessed it 100-1.

Malliff was whooping with joy, He kept faith in the Overshare four-year-old and had a few dollars on at 120-1.

He was stunned, just like everyone else at the track and probably including his jockey Sean Cormack.

Malliff won the last race at Cluden in November too with long shot Gamadale Nip.

He’s happy to be called “last race Larry”.

“I‘m ok with that. I’ll keep taking ‘em,” Malliff said.

“As I explained to the stewards, his work at home has been exceptional. Why he hadn’t been putting it together on race day I’m just not 100 percent sure.

“They can’t tell us, we’ve just got to keep sending them around while we know there’s something there.

“Today he actually put his best foot forward and we found out what he can do. I haven’t changed anything, just persevered and he decided to let go.

“He won on debut at the Cairns Amateurs and we got 100-1 about him that day. We thought then he might be alright.

“He’s had 10 starts since and done basically nothing.

“We’ve given him a bit of time because he’s such a big horse.

“Hopefully he can go on with it now. I had five in today and was doing no good up until this.

“I had a few bucks on this bloke so we’ll be going home with something thank goodness.”

It was no near thing for Spontaneous Choice on Thursday.

He produced a strong finishing burst along the rails in the straight and cruised to a two-length win from bolter Elleves and Convertor.

It was a Quaddie killer for punters. The trifecta paid just shy of $22,000.

Thankfully punters were on better terms when Roweiner’s Dance returned in spectacular form to win as a heavily-backed favourite in the Great Northern Brewing Co BM 75 Hcp (1000m).

Leading rider Ryan Wiggins again topped the day with a winning treble.

He scored on 20-1 shot Raff Vader in the 2YO Mdn (1000m), and Finsceal in the BM60 Hcp (1609m).

But the win of the day was aboard grand old campaign Bold Type who led throughout under 63.5kg in the Hygain Open Hcp (1300m).

Wiggins stole a march on his lighter weighted dangers Sweet Kisses and Northern Pride and prevailed by a half-length.

Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham said the nine-year-old, who races in the distinct Tom Hedley colours, was in the best form in his life.

“He’s never raced better, the old boy, I thought we might retire him but Tom said why pull up stumps while he’s racing so well,” Massingham said.

“He’ll spell now and we’ll bring him back at carnival time and drop him into some of the better races where he won’t have to carry as much weight.

“He’s just an old marvel. His opposition might have taken him a bit lightly today because of his big weight. That’s something you should never do with the old bloke.

“He’s tough and he just keeps trying.”

Roy Chillemi looks to have unearthed a promising horse after newcomer Tsunami bolted away with the Ladbrokes 3YO Mdn Hcp (1200m),

Chillemi has scaled back his operation to four horses while he prepares for shoulder surgery.