Consistent galloper Toompine has more options ahead of him after a breakthrough victory over 1200 metres at Ballarat.
The six-year-old is in career best form but had not won beyond 1125 metres until Friday when he landed the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Hcp, his first test in BM70 company.
“He has never raced better, and it was great to see him step up in class and distance and win so well,” trainer Vincent Malady said.
“He’s been been ultra consistent this preparation and it was very pleasing that he was able to tick off 1200 metres.
“There were limited in the races we could pick out for him and took a punt that he would get the trip on the synthetic as he had previously raced well on it.”
Rising in class and with a lingering doubt about his prospects at the distance, Toompine drifted from $11 to $18 despite have posted a win, two seconds and third at his four previous starts.
Jockey Jake Duffy, who had enjoyed success early in his career for owners John and Helen McPhee, jumped aboard Toompine for the first time and had him nicely placed midfield, five lengths off the lead mid-race.
Halfway up the straight Lim’s Bighorn ($16) looked home with a two-length lead, but Toompine who had been held up on the rails from the 500 metres to the entrance to home straight, powered home the final 150 metres to score by a neck with Highland Son ($51) a half-length away third.
“The horse is flying, and he was really strong though the line,” said Jake who was thrilled to get a win for the McPhees.
“Helen and John, they’ve been a big part of my career, especially when I was younger, so I’m happy to get a win the board for them.