CARLA Innes-Goodridge admits she gave up nearly all hope of winning when Zarem bungled the start in his NR 56 to 67 trot at Lord's Raceway on Thursday night.
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Usually a good beginner, the four-year-old gelding was tardy away after galloping, causing his trainer's attention to shift to her other runner Spiders Devil, who rocketed off the gate, to challenge the Stuart Rothacker-trained and driven Tiber for the lead.
"We were going to try and lead (with Zarem), but when he galloped at the gate I've thought 'that's him gone for the night'," she said.
"I was just pleased with the other one I had in getting away okay. He was just short of a run.
"But when Zarem got down and got off the fence on the home turn, I had a feeling he would be right in it.
"I was really stoked because he is still really underdone, he's not quite as fit as he could be."
The gelding was having only his second start this campaign, following on from a sixth behind Archleo in a stronger class race at Charlton late last month.
Despite all his troubles, Zarem was able to eke out an impressive 2.9m win from Our Quick Cash, with the in-form Rigondeaux in third.
The victory delivered the first leg of a driving double for Ellen Tormey, who received lavish praise from the trainer.
"I was glad she was able to settle him down really quickly and get him back into the race," Innes-Goodridge said.
"Ellen's terrific. She actually came second on my brother's horse (the Grant Innes-trained Vincent Kai).
"She's just a super driver, you can hand Ellen the reins and not worry about anything."
Zarem will line-up again at Bendigo this Tuesday, with his rivals to again include Rigondeaux, Well Defined and Dealers Knock from his last race, alongside fellow Thursday night winner Armbro Hugh, Jay Bee Flex, Skyeski and Myrtle Vale.
Thursday night's win was the fourth of his career from 32 starts.
He has also been placed on 17 occasions.
With trainers and drivers restricted to racing within their own region for now, Innes-Goodridge said the strategy going forward with Zarem and the remainder of her stable would be simple.
"We just need to get him in as much as we can. Like everyone in the district we are just making the most of racing the same horses and hopefully we can pick up some more wins for the owners," she said.
Win tallies after two region-based race meetings:
Trainers: Glenn Douglas (3), Gary Donaldson, Justin Brewin, Keith Cotchin (2), Kate Hargreaves, Brett Shipway, Michelle Eastman, Shaun McNaulty, Anthony Crossland, Carla Innes-Goodridge, Dylan Marshall.
Drivers: Alex Ashwood (4), Glenn Douglas (3), Anthony Crossland, Ellen Tormey (2), Brett Shipway, Jayden Brewin, Rod Lakey, Haydon Gray, Tayla French (1).
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