Skytrain has been rewarded for his consistency so far this campaign with a well deserved win at Rosehill on Saturday in the $85,000, Ingham Chicken and Turkey Love'em Handicap (1200m).
Skytrain and Christian Reith, picture Sportpix.com.au
The Peter Snowden-trained galloper had not run a bad race in four prior outings this campaign however did not have a win to show for it until taking the race.
Favourite in the small field of seven, Skytrain (56kg) settled second last on the fence in transit under the guidance of Christian Reith.
The jockey remained patient aboard the rising seven-year-old as the pair saved ground near the rail turning for home and began to make their move just outside the final 200m as a split opened up in the the straight.
Skytrain surged between runners at the 150m on his way to a three-quarter length win over outsider Murray's Sun (54kg) (Volcanic Prince) and Kathy O'Hara. Youthful Jack (58.5kg carried 55.5kg) and apprentice Matthew McGuren were third, the margin a half-head.
The time was 1.11.89 on the Slw 6 track with the final 600m in 35.10. Skytrain paid $3.00 on NSW TAB as favourite.
It was Skytrain's seventh career success from 28 starts with trainer Peter Snowden pleased the honest galloper had scored an overdue win this preparation.
“He runs to his ability,” Snowden said.
“He had the perfect run today, everything panned out nicely and I am really rapt that he won.
“I am really proud for the horse. It is a great effort.”
Skytrain's overdue success comes just seven days after winning rider Christian Reith partnered the Joseph Pride-trained Earnest Ernest to victory after the gelding was beginning to accumulate more seconds than a stopwatch.
“These horses have the ability,” Reith said.
“It is just about trying to get their confidence back. With Earnest Ernest the other day and this fella today, hopefully these wins help get their confidence back because they are good horses on their day.”
Reith has now partnered Skytrain twice in his career having ridden the gelding when a comfortably held eighth in The Shorts (1200m) behind Love Conquers All last September.
While the pair sat up closer to the speed on that occasion, Reith elected to have the Lonhro six-year-old positioned further back in running at Rosehill on Saturday.
“I just let him go to sleep and work into the race when he wanted to,” Reith said.
“The pace was nice and it gave him a chance to travel.
“He was always going to get the split up the gut so I just waited and waited as long as I could and let him go in the last 100m.”
Picture ATC