First starter Pinch Memory has scored a consolation win at Doomben after missing the recent Magic Millions Classic but bigger victories are in store for the gelding.
Pinch Memory ($4.80) beat Accomplish ($4.60) by half a length on Saturday, with a further 2-3/4 lengths to the unlucky favourite Spirit Of Cherokee ($3.10) in the two-year-old race over 1050m.
Trainer Robert Heathcote had such a high opinion of Pinch Memory he had intended running him in the $2 million Classic three weeks ago.
“But I ran out of time and had to set our sights a bit lower. I have a big wrap on this bloke and it’s always the sign of a good horse when they win at their first start and in the rain to boot,” he said.
“Pinch Memory has run up to his good trial when second but he should be even fitter for the run today.”
Heathcote is confident the gelding can measure up to stakes company but has no intention of heading south this autumn.
“He can have another run here and then we will put him way with the winter carnival in mind. I think he can win a stakes race then,” Heathcote said.
Pinch Memory is by sire Denman out of the stakes-placed mare Noesis and should run further than 1050m.
Spirit Of Cherokee jockey Brad Stewart felt the horse should have won but he put in a wrong step and ended up second last early.
“I was going to lead and would have gone close to winning,” he said.
