Lagogiane's Launching Pad Defence On Track

PETER Lagogiane's staunch defence of this year's Launching Pad title remains right on track after Double Back scored a commanding heat victory last Thursday evening.

A year on from Beast Unleashed's powerhouse win in the $150,000 to-the-winner feature, Lagogiane returned to Sandown Park for another tilt at the wins-restricted event, with Double Back claiming his heat in 29.66, while Federal Impact finished second to the Steve White-trained Tauwitchere in the opening qualifier.

Incidentally, White, who looks to play a leading hand in this year's Launching Pad, claimed the 2017 series finale with Suffragette.

The Recorder spoke with a weary Lagogiane on Friday as he readied for Saturday night's Golden Easter Egg heats at Wentworth Park, where the Llandilo conditioner was victorious with Federal Lilly and Mystic Riot.

"I drove straight home after Sandown on Thursday night, I wanted to disrupt our routine here as little as possible with getting the girls ready for Saturday night," said Lagogiane.

"I can't speak any higher of how this dog (Double Back) continues to raise the bar, he's no superstar but he just keeps improving and chases his heart out.

“When we first got him he was very immature and raw, we've basically just raced him into maturity and learning how to race, he's got a lot of upside."

Now a winner at five of his nine starts, with another three placings, Double Back heads into round two of the Launching Pad as the winner of two-from-two at Sandown Park.

"I'm really happy for (owner) Ray (Grech) as well, he's really passionate and just loves the dog," added Lagogiane.

"We set our sights on this race with him a while back and so far so good. When he had his first start at Sandown two weeks back he spent 11 hours in the car and then five hours in the kennels as he was in race 12. He still came out and won which was a big effort, that's a lot to ask from any dog let alone one that's had eight starts."

Only adding to the merit of Double Back's heat success on Thursday, the son of Dyna Double One and Go Mini Mouse claimed the big scalp of hot Victorian prospect Flynn, the son of Kinloch Brae finishing a three-quarter length second.

"I know it was Flynn's first 500 but he had his chance so it gives us a lot of confidence going into this week," added Lagogiane.

"I gave Double Back a post-to-post at Richmond in the lead up to Thursday and he went 25.18 – the same time as Mystic Riot – so that told me he was right on track. You don't want them peaking in week one either.

"He's drawn box eight in his semi this week so he'll need to do everything right but each time he goes around I feel like he's developing and maturing more and Thursday's win should only help his confidence further."

Lagogiane has also warned punters not to completely sell out on the talented yet enigmatic Federal Impact in the lead up to this week's semi-finals.

"He's (Federal Impact) drawn box one in his semi and being fair dinkum he was wayward in the straight last week but I wouldn't be surprised if he raced a lot better this week if he can lead," added Lagogiane.

"I had to drive up and back with him on the Sunday last week to clear him in a trial so it was a lot to ask from the dog with the two trips in five days – I think a bit fresher this week he can improve off that effort.

“He's a very fast dog.”