Jamie Kah guides Crestani to easy win at Sandown

Crestani has edged Jamie Kah closer to the magical 100-win mark in Melbourne with a soft win at Sandown.

Pat Carey says it was a pretty comfortable watch to see Crestani cruise home at Sandown and get on the winner’s board again.

Crestani led throughout to claim the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1300m) on Wednesday under the guidance on Melbourne’s leading rider Jamie Kah. The victory moved Kah to 97 winners for the season and within sight of becoming the first jockey to crack the ton in Melbourne.

Jumping straight to the front, Crestani ($3.50) raced to a 4-¼ length win from Semenuk ($7.50) with the $3 favourite Kentucky Casanova a further three-quarters-of-a-length away.

Carey said it was pretty hard to pin Kah down with instructions.

“You leave it to her, but I didn’t necessarily see her leading, but I did say ‘ride the horse where you’re comfortable travelling’,” Carey said.

Carrying the colours of longshot 1986 Caulfield Guineas winner Abaridy, who was prepared by Crestani’s owner Steve Watkins, Carey said Wednesday’s victor had been a frustrating horse.

Prior to Wednesday’s success, Crestani had been successful just once previously, a maiden on his home track at Mornington when on debut, in August last year.

“He’s had a few near misses this horse and has only had the one win along the way,” Carey said.

“He looked good there today on a superb looking track in the middle of winter.

“He’s a lovely kind horse that always presents in good condition. There’s not fuss about him, he comes to the races and does his job.

“He was very well ridden and Steve will be happy with that, but we’ll just let the dust settle and then try and find a pathway forward.”