Lightly-raced four-year-old City Escape had his consistency rewarded when he posted his maiden win at Hamilton on Friday.
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, the gelding was second up from a spell and after settling just off the pace finished strongly to score a soft one-length victory over Chica Con Suerte and If I Was You in the Taylor Toyota Maiden (1100m).
Trainer Vincent Malady said City Escape, who has been around the money in most of his eight starts, had made a significant improvement this campaign.
“He has come back a much better horse after a break,” trainer Vincent Malady said.
“Last campaign he was physically strong but has really grown up mentally this preparation and come on in leaps and bounds in recent weeks.”
By Crowded House from Sense in the City, City Escape had placed at four of his seven starts before today’s win and improved off his first-up third at Kerang on December 30.
Vincent said City Escape had also suffered from flat feet which had caused some niggling issues that the stable had been able to successfully address.
“We aimed to keep him on soft tracks because of his feet but our farrier has done a great job with him, and it was good to see him stretch out so well on the firm track at Hamilton,” Vincent said.
Brad Rawiller said the race could not have worked out better for City Escape who had the perfect run behind the leaders.
“He had a sweet run and got a nice cart up in the straight,” Brad said.
“When he got to the outside, he was far too good for them.”