It’s the story that just keeps on giving, rejuvenated Ensay sprinter, Doctor Coto, turning back the clock and picking up a well deserved professional race victory after dominating on the picnic circuit of late.
There was no happier person on track at Bairnsdale on Sunday, when the ‘Doctor’ surged late to out bob favourite Wind Dreamer and Just Malcolm in the 0-58 handicap over the 1000 metres, than trainer Rob Gillahan.
The affable Gillahan, a shearer, trains a small team on his 320-acre property, and purchased Doctor Coto, a former metropolitan placegetter, in June 2022, hopeful of resurrecting the galloper’s career on the professional circuit, or at the vary least picking up some picnic wins in the local area.
Gillahan is a prolific winner of races at places like Buchan, Swifts Creek and Hinnomunjie.
Doctor Coto was victorious twice on the picnic circuit in his initial campaign with Gillahan and after a slow start to this preparation he has blossomed in recent weeks, winning four races and running second twice from his last six runs.
Two exciting wins at Woolamai and another at Buchan, paling into insignificance after pocketing connections $19,500 for his effort on Sunday.
Now an eight-year-old, Doctor Coto is thriving and a happy horse in altitude at Ensay, evident by the way he poked his head out late on Sunday under the urgings of Cranbourne jockey, Jade Da Rose.
Gillahan explained post race that he keeps ‘The Doctor’s’ training pretty simple.
“He’s loving racing at the moment, I work him in the ring yard in the morning and he heads out in the paddock during the day,” Gillahan said.
Gillahan also explained Doctor Coto is probably lucky to be still racing.
“He got galloped on really bad last preparation and it was touch and go whether he would return, but he’s come back in great fettle, been racing great and certainly deserved the win today,” Gillahan said.
Now a winner of 11 his 68 starts, Doctor Coto has always been a consistent money spinner for connections, with stakemoney approaching $182,000.
