There has been a dramatic start to the Country Championship series at Bathurst with heartbreak for trainer Peter Stanley and jubilation for Mack Griffith.
The Stanley-trained King Derota, the pre-race favourite, was withdrawn after an incident in the barriers.
That left the Griffith-trained Binalong Road heading the market at $2.70 and he lived up to expectations.
With leading Sydney rider Hugh Bowman aboard, Binalong Road had four lengths to spare over One Last Poet ($17) at the end of the 1400 metres.
Both first and second in the $100,000 race qualify for the $300,000 final at Randwick on April 4.
Binalong Road has been sparingly raced in the past months with the Country Championship in mind.
Sunday’s race was his first since a win in December with Griffith conscious another win would put him out of the qualifying criteria.
“I was making sure he was eligible for today,” Griffith told Sky Racing World.
“I had no worries in the run. That’s why I put H Bowman on. He’s a freak.”
Bowman, who began his apprenticeship in Bathurst with Leanne Aspros, was thrilled to be back at the course in front of a big crowd.
He said Binalong Road had done everything right.
“When we were in the barriers and there was a delay it wasn’t ideal because I wanted a good getaway,” he said.
“I was able to navigate a good position and he travelled sweetly.
“I won on him over 1200 metres at Mudgee last time and he has been well managed.”
One Last Poet’s trainer Brett Thompson said he felt for Stanley.
“I feel for Pete. He’s a battler like the rest of us,” he said.
“I lost my best hope Great Choice with a suspensory injury during the week.
“But it’s pretty exciting. It’s great to come second and qualify.
“She is a tough little thing and kept coming to the line.”
The next heat of the series is at Port Macquarie on Friday, a day after the first heat of the provincial series at Wyong.
