A last-to-first finishing burst by Saint Valorem has provided Cameron Templeton with his first winner at Caulfield.
Saint Valorem came widest in the straight in Saturday’s Jason Hart Handicap (1100m) to give Templeton his first Saturday metropolitan success after previous midweek city victories at Sandown and Mornington.
Ridden by Brian Higgins, Saint Valorem ($9) scored by a neck from Tango Rock ($11), with Certain Ellie ($51) 1-1/2 lengths away in third.
Saint Valorem remains unbeaten in three second-up performances and Saturday’s win was his fourth from 11 career starts.
Templeton said he had always held Saint Valorem in high esteem, with the gelding having been competitive against higher-graded performers in Ability and Hellbent.
“He’s only little but he’s got a big ticker and tries hard,” Templeton said.
“It was a huge win and I knew he had come on from his first-up run.
“He’s got a lot of good form around him and he’s been a bit unlucky on occasions, being beaten by a lot of good horses that have gone on to win better races.”
Templeton said he would go back to his Pakenham stables and study the program before deciding on Saint Valorem’s next outing.
He hopes to stretch the gelding out to 1400m this campaign.
