An upset victory to consistent galloper Chamois Road over favourite Ozi Choice has given apprentice Mitchell Aitken his first Flemington win.
After going close to the Flemington 1400m record when winning two weeks ago, the Darren Weir-trained Ozi Choice was sent out the $2.10 favourite in Saturday’s Brian Beattie Handicap over the same course and distance.
Chamois Road, who won in Adelaide at his most recent start last month with Aitken aboard, settled fourth in the run before peeling into clear running from the top of the straight to set out after leader Ozi Choice.
The Patrick Payne-trained Chamois Road ($7.50) levelled up to the favourite with about 100m to run and Aitken’s 3kg claim might have proved telling over the concluding stages as Chamois Road was getting 3.5kg off topweight Ozi Choice.
Chamois Road and edged clear to beat Ozi Choice by a long neck with 1-1/4-lengths to Miss Gunpowder third.
Aitken said it was a big thrill to get a Flemington winner while it was Chamois Road’s 11th career win from 37 starts with another 19 placings.
“This horse always puts in,” Aitken said.
“You won’t find a more genuine horse.”
