Caulfield trainer Mick Price was in two minds about running diminutive colt Resistant at Caulfield on Saturday but in the end his decision was the right one.
At just his second run, following his fourth on debut at Sandown last month, Resistant is well on the way towards recouping his $85,000 purchase price.
Resistant winning the Abbie Fennessy Memorial Plate at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
In a five-horse opener, Resistant ($4.40) fended off the fast-finishing favourite I Am Titanium ($1.90) by a long head with Fine Diamond ($5.50) third.
Price had some doubt about the two-year-old’s ability but decided against scratching him.
“There’s nothing wrong with him, he wasn’t shin-sore or anything,” Price said.
“But I said, `what’s the worse that can happen, we train another loser’? We go good at that.
“He’s only a little tacker and for him to come to town and win a really good prize money race with some good people is fantastic.”
A Craig Newitt mount, Resistant was the only runner in the field with any racing experience.
“I feel it was a good ride by Craig and probably there was the benefit of having had a run and being able to train on a little bit with him,” Price said.
“He probably has to have a little bit of a breather now but that was great.
“I’ve got no grand ambitions for him but he’s nice and tough and sound.”
Newitt said he was impressed with Resistant’s determination and was convinced the little colt had potential.
“He’s a nice horse and whatever he does this preparation he’s going to be a lot nicer next time,” Newitt said.
“He got back but chased really well and I was really impressed by him.
“It’s his home track and he jumped a lot better (than his debut) and raced really positive,” he said.
