GONE Baby Gone broke his Maiden at his fourth visit to the racetrack in a 1600m contest at Clairwood, Sunday – well overdue for a runner of his ability.

The son of Grey’s Inn had shown enough ability to be tried in a Juvenile Plate and then in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes before he had won a race – testimony to Mike de Kock’s high opinion of him.

So although his first win may have been a bit ‘late’, there is a full season ahead of him and Gone Baby Gone won’t  stop here. He was beaten just over 6 lengths by Champion Juvenile Kochka in the Premiers, followed by Sunday’s 3.50-length success over Rushmore River. With more improvement imminent, he’s one for the notebook this summer.

“We gelded Gone Baby Gone after the Premiers and he put it together on Sunday. He’s a smart horse,” commented assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen.

Gone Baby Gone is owned in partnership by Mike de Kock, Dr John and Mrs Amanda McVeigh, Noeline Malherbe and Patrick Reinecke, who also raced his dam, Native Gem.