Over Quota has maintained his winning run through the Summer Championship series and landed the final with a hard fought victory at Sandown.
The Mark Webb-trained six-year-old defied big odds to land heat wins at $15 at Sandown on December 21 and $61 at Flemington on January 14 and was again risked at $15 in Saturday’s 1600m final.
Backing Over Quota through the series with a $1 all-up bet on his three starts would have returned a massive $13,725.
Webb, who has been training Over Quota since November 2010, said it had taken time to find the key to the gelding but he was now relishing a lighter workload and was running on heart.
“He is very tough,” Webb said.
“I worked out he is horse you don’t have to over work, just let him find his feet.”
Over Quota was aimed at the Summer Championship but not even Webb envisaged he would be so successful.
“I didn’t expect him to win at Flemington a fortnight ago but he was set for this series and final because he is very strong at a mile,” Webb said.
“He has done a wonderful job.”
Formerly trained by Julie Scott, Over Quota’s rating has soared from 70 to 87 since joining Webb’s stable and it will be even higher after Saturday’s win.
Peter Mertens won on Over Quota at Flemington and on Saturday settled him midfield and had the leaders in sight at the top of the straight.
In a two-horse duel with Agrippa he forged ahead in the closing stages score by a neck while the Peter Snowden-trained four-year-old Giresun, who has also been in good recent form, finished 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Glen Boss, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury for four months and only resumed riding 10 days ago, caused alarm when he was dislodged at the start from Josimar who went down on his nose after knuckling badly.
Boss escaped injury while Josimar continued on in the race inconveniencing Craig Newitt on Wookah for much of the event.
Webb says Over Quota, who is out of a Zabeel mare, has staying potential but he is unsure how far he will get.
“We will just give him a little let up for week and probably push him up to 2000 metres now,” Webb said.
“I have always believed he will race over 2000 metres if ridden back.”
“He settles a lot better now.”
Greg Eurell landed a Sandown double with his only two runners at the meeting.
Chris Symons rode both Go Katrina in the City Of Opportunity Handicap (1400m) and Great Dame in the Goulding Airconditioning Handicap (1300m).
AAP TURF
