Le Don De Vie has given his rivals a galloping lesson in Saturday's Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), racing away under Nash Rawiller to win by a big space.
The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained six-year-old started a well-supported $3.50 favourite with Australian betting sites, and he never really looked like getting beaten, in what was a pain-free watch for his followers.
The son of Leroidesanimaux got a long way back in the $300,000 race, but when the speed came out of the staying contest, Rawiller began to edge closer on the race favourite, which ultimately saw him hit the front early in the straight under a tight hold.
Le Don De Vie proved far too good for fellow interstate visitors Arapaho (2nd), Pappalino (3rd) and Alakahan (4th), with London Banker the first of the local runners past the post back in fifth place.
2022 Caloundra Cup Replay
The gelding was a long-odds winner first-up at Flemington, upsetting the talented Tuvalu, before finishing down the track at Eagle Farm last start in the Q22.
Despite the last-start disappointment, the winning rider went into the Sunshine Coast feature pretty confident that he would be walking away with the prize.
“It was just a matter of time wasn't it? Just waiting to produce him,” Rawiller said post-race.
“He made a meal of a few sections of the track, but I was able to keep him pretty balanced and gradually improve him into it.
“He's a horse that felt like he had a fair bit – with all due respect to the field – on them. Coming up here now and peaking today like that, he can have a quick break and I'm sure he'll figure in something in the spring.
Le Don De Vie has now won two races in Australia, adding the Caloundra Cup to his 2021 Warrnambool Cup victory.
While Rawiller wasn't totally convinced that his mount would handle the Heavy 10 conditions, but now his two wins have been on rain-affected going.
“For a horse like him, it wasn't ideal at all,” the winning hoop said.
“He found a way to adapt. Full credit to the team – they had him in beautiful order today.”