A gun ride from Mitch Aitken helped Carolina Sunrise turn the tables on her stablemate Chelsea Toff at Murtoa.
Less than 1-1/2 lengths separated the two horses when Chelsea Toff defeated third-placed Carolina Sunrise at Echuca last start, but on Saturday it was the five-year-old mare who triumphed.
Riding a more conservative race on Carolina Sunrise, Mitch restrained her at the start, and she settled worse than midfield with Chelsea Toff behind her.
She improved along the rails from the 600m but was blocked rounding the home turn before seeing daylight early in the straight.
Full of running, Carolina Sunrise ($12) reached the lead inside the final 100 metres and scored by a long neck from Viperion ($19) and Bye Bye Betty ($5.50), who were split in a photo for second and third place.
Chelsea Toff, ridden by Paul Gatt, battled strongly in the home straight and finished game fifth, 1.77 lengths behind her stablemate.
Owned by Hirsch Racing, Carolina Sunrise cost $32,000 at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and has now won three of her 15 starts and $71,410.
The daughter of Cable Bay was well held at her only start last spring when ridden handy to the lead, but this campaign appears better suited ridden further back.
“Mitch gave her a great ride and she was very strong when she got the clear run,” said trainer Vincent Malady said.
“Last start she showed she was getting back to her best behind Chelsea Toff.
“There is not much between the two horses.
“You never like to run stablemates against each other and hopefully there will be more options available for both horses in the coming weeks so we can keep them apart.”