The temperamental Divine Service has been rewarded for his good behaviour to land some big bets with his win at Eagle Farm.
Divine Service, who started $3.60 after as much as $7 was bet about him early in the week, beat Upstart Pride by three-quarters of a length in Saturday’s Chris Anderson Hcp (1200m).
The gelding has a reputation for being unruly at the barriers and was scratched at the start at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday after bumping his head in the gate.
He was sweating on the way to the barriers on Saturday but after a short delay was loaded and jumped smartly.
Trainer Darryl Hansen has done a good job with Divine Service who scored his eighth win and took his prize money to nearly $300,000.
“He had to pass a barrier test on Tuesday so it was a good effort to come out and win today,” Hansen said.
“If he could concentrate all the time he might have been a top horse.”
The win ended a run of outs for apprentice Luke Tarrant who had ridden only one winner at his past 50 rides.
