43-month drought broken

LIGHTLY-RACED pacer Forever Candy broke a long drought from the winners’ circle while also providing his trainer with a personal milestone last night.

Competing at Club Menangle, Forever Candy registered his first victory since September 2016.

In doing so the son of Always A Virgin gave Jacqui Graham her maiden success at the world class venue.

While Forever Candy hadn’t notched a win in 43 months, he has been limited to just 14 starts during the interim.

“I was pretty happy with his win,” Graham said. “I was the only one screaming as he got to the line.

“With nobody there it was an eerie feeling, but I was still screaming and cheering him on.

“He hadn’t race since the end of January and needed a trial but racing him was the only option.

“It turned out great and hopefully he will be a lot better for the run.”

Driven by star reinsman Luke McCarthy, Forever Candy began quickly to lead from barrier six before being eased to take a trail behind Meldrum.

Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight, the gelding sprinted to a metre-and-a-half win from Tajie Baby, with Meldrum a head away third.

Covering the mile in 1:57.8, the eight-year-old took his record to three wins and a second from 25 starts.

“I’ve had him since he was a two-year-old and so many times when he was getting ready to go he’d get sick or knock his leg and so on,” Graham said. “Because I’m such a softy and love him to pieces, he’s my best friend, and I just give him time off even though it was nothing serious.

“He has been working well this time in, and although he’s older, he hasn’t race much and if he can get a win here and there I’ll be happy.

“I will possibly race him at Penrith or Menangle next week…he will be up in class so I’m not expecting a miracle.”