Thomas Stockdale has channelled his inner Mark Zahra to guide Warnie to his biggest success in his career as a jockey.
Stockdale produced a cool and calculated ride aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper to claim the The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday.
The Supernova was the second of two slot races run by Southside Racing, the first being The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne last month.
An $11 chance in betting, Warnie roared down the centre of the Pakenham home straight to reel in the $2.20 favourite Private Eye to score by a half-head with Arkansaw Kid ($10) a long neck away third.
Stockdale said he went back through Warnie’s replays and was intrigued by the way Zahra had ridden the galloper in the past.
“Every time Mark sat on his back, he was in a nice flowing rhythm, he was relaxed, conserving energy and he showed an electric turn of foot off it,” Stockdale said.
“I tried to channel my inner Zahra perch, nice hands, get him to relax, and he let rip.
“When you let rip like that, you are usually confident, but then the gallopers in front of you, you know they are not going to lie down easily, but he was trained to minute to come back in trip after a tough run over the mile.
“To have him so well and present him the way they did, it’s a huge credit to the team.”
Stockdale started his apprenticeship in the Gippsland area and now resides in nearby Bunyip.
He said Saturday’s win means a lot.
“It’s the biggest win of my career,” Stockdale said.
“I’ve won low level Group races, but it’s been nowhere as much prize money.
“It’s something special and has come at the right time.”
Warnie’s win completed a four-timer for the Ciaron Maher stable after they won the first three races on Saturday’s program.
After winning over 1400m at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, Warnie was then stepped up to 1600m of the Cranbourne Cup, finishing fifth on November 22.
National assistant-trainer Jack Turnbull said it had been a big effort by the entire stable to have Warnie fresh for the 1400m trip on Saturday.
“We had to change things up and we were mindful of how deep we are in the campaign in having to come back to the seven (furlongs),” Turnbull said.
“It’s a credit to the team. It’s very rewarding and it’s completed a huge day for the team.”
