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Capital Cheval ($3.20 – $2.20 fav) proved his last start Hobart win was no fluke with a gutsy effort to make it two-in-a-row, scoring a narrow but tough win in the 1420m Class 1 in Launceston on Wednesday night.
After sitting outside the leader, Capital Cheval raced to the lead coming around the home turn and then fought hard to hold off Swoop There It Is ($2.70 – $5.50) by a short halfhead.
Capital Cheval is trained by Jessie Bazan who is enjoying a wonderful run with four winners from her past seven starters.
"Bulent (Muhcu) has given him a great ride from a tricky gate. He had him in a beautiful spot and got the job done.
"We thought we would stick to the same trip, he's obviously won over that distance before, he'll have more scope to step up next prep, but id say he is looking for a bit of a let-up now. He's done a great job," Bazan said.
Mixed night for Newitt
Visiting rider Craig Newitt was a hot favourite to win the jockey challenge but didn't hit the scoreboard until the fifth race when he piloted Page to victory for trainer John Blacker.
Page ($13 – $19) settled well back in the 2150m race but eventually blended into the race and had the nose in front right on the line, downing the leader Reward For Rosie ($6.50 – $21) in a photo with Coup De Spry ($4.40) an unlucky third.
"She's only really got that short sprint. It was a bit like a cycle race; one took off at the 1200m then another one went at the half-mile, we just kept tracking up and was the last one to have a crack at them and to her credit, she races really well here and she hit the line well," Newitt said.
Newitt also confirmed that he would be back to ride at the Newmarket meeting next Wednesday night.
Never too old
Evergreen galloper Sir Simon ($4.60) scored his 13th career win with an all-the-way win in the Open Hcp (1620m).
Ridden by David Pires, the 10YO showed his customary early speed to lead and then, after being headed coming around the home turn, fought back to down the favourite Miss Charlie Brown ($2.15) with Hot Relation ($9.50), running on to finish third.
"He goes around like a 3YO at the moment; he was a lot better today over the mile than he was over 1400m.
"He had to work really hard to get to the front over 1400m, and today he knew it was game on, he got taken on pretty hard by Chorizama early and wanted to overrace, but he's just a super old horse.
"He got headed around the home turn but picked back up and got to the line like he knows how to," Pires said.
