Skytrain has been maligned by punters but he finally delivered for favourite backers at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding, sent out a $3.10 favourite in Saturday’s Ingham Chicken and Turkey, Love’em Handicap (1200m), responded under the riding of Christian Reith and burst through near the inside to defeat comeback galloper Murray’s Sun by three quarters of a length.
“The punters have probably been a bit dirty on him as he’s been beaten a few times as favourite but he runs to his ability, there’s no doubt about that,” Snowden said.
“He had the perfect run today, everything panned out nicely and I’m really rapt he has won.”
Skytrain was in top form two years ago but a race fall at Gosford in the Takeover Target Stakes zapped the galloper’s confidence.
“It took a long time to get his confidence back up and then he started to come right but he’d run good races and keep getting beat all the time,” Snowden said.
“They start to lose that confidence again so it was vital that he won today. I think there’s some chance we can resurrect him.”
Snowden might have been delighted but trainer Bridget Jones was even happier with the return of Murray’s Sun who hadn’t raced for more than a year.
Murray’s Sun ($41) came from the tail of the field to grab second, a half-head in front of Youthful Jack ($6).
“I’m ecstatic. I can’t believe it after all he’s been through,” Jones said.
“Greg Ryan rides him in his work and thought the horse was still a gallop short. There’s a 1400-metre race back here next month if he can get there.”
Murray’s Sun was having just his second start since February 2010 because of injury issues.
