Suncraze might have tested the resolve of another trainer but Melanie O’Gorman has used his frustrating run of seconds as a positive and been rewarded.
A winner at Dubbo on debut in August, Suncraze visited the runner-up stall six times before turning things around at Randwick on Saturday.
The three-year-old was sent out the $2.60 favourite in the Highway Handicap (1400m) for country-trained horses and with the addition of blinkers, showed why O’Gorman and the gelding’s owner Anthony Gow-Gates have kept the faith.
The blinkers went on at the instigation of Corey Brown who rode him to a close second at Warwick Farm two weeks ago and Suncraze went to the line strongly three lengths in front of Last Try Wins ($6.50).
“Full credit to Corey who rightly said to put the blinkers on,” O’Gorman said.
“It is a big relief. Anthony has been very patient.
“I thought Suncraze would be suited by the big track and be able to come down the outside and it worked out that way.”
O’Gorman, who trains at Tamworth, flagged the $200,000 Highway race to be held on the program featuring the $10 million Everest on October 14 as a goal.
Although Suncraze was strong to the line, Brown admitted he still had a few things to learn.
“He’s a Gemini like me,” he said.
“He’s got different characters. It’s like I rode three different horses out there.
“I suggested the blinkers and they were a big help and even though he’s had a fair bit of experience, he still has a bit to learn so can get better.”
