Le Grand Amour’s impressive maiden win hands Railways football premiership players more success

Just a few months on from their grand final victory in the Great Southern Football League, Railways premiership team are celebrating again. The successful league players are in a syndicate that were gifted a share in exciting three-year-old filly Le Grand Amour, who won impressively at Albany’s Boxing Day races. The filly, trained locally by Rebecca Wallrodt, had two strong barrier trials and then ran second on debut over 1000m in Pinjarra. With the late scratching of Ginger Green, Le Grand Amour jumped a $2 favourite in the Byron Bay Maiden (1100m) and was fired straight to the front by jockey Chris Nicoll. Nicoll controlled the tempo of the race and the Denman filly kicked strongly when asked for an effort in the home straight to win by 0.7 lengths over Better In Kit on the line. Wallrodt said the Railways syndicate had a number of first-time owners which is great for the industry. “It’s really nice having those guys involved,” she said. “They won the grand final together and it was a grand final gift to the boys. “They are pretty lucky to land a horse like that.” Le Grand Amour lay outwards in the home straight and Nicoll reported the horse raced greenly throughout on her way to breaking maiden status. “She is very exciting and has shown us a lot already,” Wallrodt said. “She sort of waits for other horses and when that horse came up to her the other day she kicked again and did find (the line) nicely. “I think she’s going to be pretty handy, she doesn’t know a lot and all of it has been on natural ability so far. “Amy (Kennedy) is in the horse as well, she’s stuck with me the whole time and does all my groundwork and rides slow work. “She has done a great job with the horse and has been a big part of her so far.” Wallrodt said they will see how the filly pulls up before possibly racing in Albany next start or travelling with her. Albany trainer Peter Western also tasted success at the meeting, with Classic Magnus breaking a 494-day winning drought. Classic Magnus finished second twice in Albany earlier this campaign but was given a lovely run in transit by apprentice Kate Southam to lead all the way and win by 0.3 lengths.