De Little Engine helped pay for an enforced holiday for jockey Chad Schofield with a strong staying performance at Sandown.
Schofield was on Friday night suspended for 12 meetings after causing interference in a race at Moonee Valley.
His suspension starts after racing on Sunday and he can return to riding on December 19.
De Little Engine
It means he will be back in time to partner De Little Engine in a 2500-metre race at Flemington on December 20 as a prelude to the $150,000 Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
Sent out the $1.95 favourite in the Environmental Handicap, De Little Engine scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Great Lane ($26) with Murphy’s Delight ($10) a short-head away third.
De Little Engine is showing promise as a stayer and made it back-to-back victories over 2400m after scoring over 2300m at Ballarat on November 22.
Schofield said the victory was more impressive as he had a lot of work to do from the back.
“The horse I was following Elusive King tracked me into it but then stopped and I had to do the rest myself,” Schofield said.
“He’s a progressive young stayer.”
Trainer Danny O’Brien said De Little Engine deserved a shot at better company.
“He progressed as a stayer today,” O’Brien said.
