Easy Single had to win twice at Rosehill on Saturday, firstly on the track and then in the stewards’ room.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding was first past the post in the Bill Picken OAM Handicap (1100m) after surviving a late charge from Godolphin mare Siege to cling to victory.
Enchanted Heart got little room between that pair, squeezing through for a close and unlucky third.
James Mcdonald on Enchanted Heart fired in a protest against Jason Collett (Easy Single) and Rachel King (Siege) but stewards dismissed his protest against the winner with Easy Single keeping the race.
However, the objection against King on Siege was upheld, resulting in Enchanted Heart being promoted to second and Siege relegated to third.
David Eustace was happy on all counts, admitting he thought Easy Single was beaten when the challengers launched their bids, praising the gelding’s tenacity to fight back.
“I’d given up. I thought he was beat and he looked beat,” Eustace said.
“He was exposed a long way from home so credit to him and great ride from Jase. It was a relief.
“He has come back from a nasty injury early in his career, they don’t often do that, so again a credit to how tough he is.”
Collett likewise feared he was a sitting duck for the horses running on but said Easy Single lifted again when they came at him.
“They came at me pretty quickly there late but once I asked for a bit more the last 100, he had a bit more in the tank so it’s encouraging going forward,” Collett said.
The victory took Easy Single’s record to five wins from 12 starts and atoned for minor placings at his previous two outings.
