European import Spirit Ridge has outstayed his rivals to claim victory in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
It was a great training performance by Mark Newnham, with the son of Nathaniel having his first-up run all the way back in November.
It was his third win this campaign, and comes off the back of a narrow defeat in the Wagga Cup last start.
Jockey Josh Parr got every ounce out of the gelding, who put his nose down on the wire to win by 0.1 lengths.
“We got there just in time and I am so happy to win on him,” Parr said.
“He’s a lovely horse, he tries so hard.
“I’m really thrilled.”
Spirit Ridge was able to get into a lovely position with cover soon after jumping, which set the race up well for the $7.50 chance.
The six-year-old was a few lengths off the leaders as they turned for home, but wouldn’t give up, running on strongly down the centre of the track to win in the nick of time.
Parr thought he had made a mistake that would cost the Newnham-trained gelding a chance at victory.
“Down the back I’d thought I had made a little bit of a blue,” he said.
“I’d just eased one pair too many, I let Carif go in front of me.
“I thought he was going to continue off to the fence and sit third the fence and I’d have the one-one (position), but it didn’t eventuate that way.
“I was glad when the speed came into the race down the back, it was just a matter of being patient then and he took me the rest of the way.”
It was back-to-back winners for Sydney based stables, as the Chris Waller-trained Reloaded claimed the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup (1800m).
