Artlee has made amends for his unplaced effort in the Tamworth Country Championship qualifier to earn a place in the $300,000 final via the Wild Card at Muswellbrook.
Sunday’s $50,000 heat was added to the series to give country horses a last chance to make the field for Saturday’s race at Randwick.
Artlee cost himself when he over-raced at Tamworth but made no mistakes on his home track, beating Rose’s Song by five lengths.
Rose’s Song also travels to Sydney for the final.
Artlee’s win elevated him to $5 equal favouritism with Tarangower for Saturday’s final at Randwick.
“This horse is a serious horse,” Willan told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“But he loses races himself. It was z great win. Just outstanding.
“I was worried he might have been too fresh but Mitchell (Bell) gave him a gun ride.
“He will be right there in Sydney.”
Artlee ($4.40) came out of the pack in the straight and had the race in his keeping a long way out.
Rose’s Song ($41) edged Because We Can ($31) out of second place by a short head with the $3.60 favourite It’s A Shamozzle unplaced.
Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell missed his local meeting to travel to Wellington with Alart who beat off the challenge of Godolphin to win the $100,000 Wellington Boot.
Ridden by Greg Ryan, Alart ($5.50) beat dual stakes placed Igraine ($1.90 fav) by 1-1/4 lengths.
Racy, who missed a start in the Golden Slipper as an emergency, finished fifth with Nigel Seymour aboard, replacing leading Sydney apprentice Winona Costin who fell in the previous race.
Costin was conscious but complaining of neck pain and blurred vision.
She was taken to Dubbo Hospital for observation.
