Patrick Payne made it three consecutive Flemington winners when Japery took out the opening event the 1100m Benchmark 78 for three-year-olds.
At the previous Flemington meeting Payne trained Defibrillate and Ididitforlove to win. He has also trained six winners from 14 starts during the past week.
Payne entrusted stable apprentice Tahlia Hope with the ride as she rides him in track-work.
Hope said that Payne thought Japery would be suited by the straight as he could roll along in the front.
“He thought that would be his go. Lucky it went to plan today,” Hope said.
Hope said she was surprised that Japery could win by four lengths.
Japery ($15) defeated Pioneer River ($8.50) by four lengths with Hydro Star ($19) a nose away third.
Then in the following race the Simon Zahra and Mat Ellerton stable recorded their 11th win for the year and their sixth in the city when High ‘N’ Dry took out the Summer Twilight Racing (Benchmark 70) over 1600 metres.
