Tough gelding Pinch River responded to new tactics of no trackwork to score a first up win in the Listed Bribie Handicap at Doomben. on Saturday.
Pinch River ($9) went straight to the lead and held on to beat All Over Bosanova ($3.40) by a long long neck with a neck to Havasay ($10) in third place.
Although he is a six-year-old Pinch River has had only 20 starts because of problems with cracked hooves.
Trainer Robert Heathcote said he had tried just about everything to get Pinch River’s feet right.
“I finally just decided to do nothing with him. Apart from some swimming, Pinch River has done nothing at all in the lead-up,” Heathcote said.
“I know he can get about six or seven kilometres out of his feet and he can now do it on the racetrack. We were going to lead at all costs today and once he got there he is a fighter.”
Pinch River will now be set for the Magic Millions Sprint in January 13.
“He will probably go straight to that race and I would love to win it for the Duncan family who race him. They are my biggest outside owners and have been very patient with Pinch River.”
