Freshman maintains undefeated status

EXCITING freshman Uptown Lad maintained his undefeated status with an emphatic victory at Club Menangle yesterday.

Making his second appearance at the world class venue the Victorian raider blitzed his rivals in a Foundation Heat.

As such the David Van Ryn-trained trotter is unbeaten from three starts for an average winning margin of 17 metres.

Thrilled with the two-year-old’s progress, Van Ryn plans to return to Menangle for the Foundation Final on June 18.

All going well Uptown Lad will make another trip across the Murray for the Trot New South Wales Final a fornight later.

“I couldn’t be happier with him,” Van Ryn said. “He was a little bit more restless yesterday, but so far he been too good for them and been able to overcome any early mistakes.

“He’s only had three starts and I’d like to think he will settle with more experience.

“I’ll take him back to Menangle another couple of times for some big races then he’ll have a break before we look at the majors close to home.”

With Leigh Sutton holding the reins, Uptown Lad caused a false start at the initial attempt before being settled midfield from barrier five during the ‘re-run’.

Sent to the lead leaving the back straight, the gelding was untouched to score by 29-and-a-half metres from Dreambigaimhigh.

Im A Gypsy Queen, a stablemate of the runner-up, was eight metres away third in 2:03.5 over 2300 metres.

“He did it as easily as he pleased,” Van Ryn said. “Leigh never had to move on him and he had plenty up his sleeve on the line.

“With any luck he can do it that easily in the Finals.”