A gear change and a drop back in distance has helped Portion Control notch his first win for the preparation at Caulfield.
Co-trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig opted to remove the nose roll from Portion Control’s gear and add a visor for the National Jockeys Trust Plate (1700m) on Saturday.
Dropping back from finishing fourth over 2000m at Flemington last start, Portion Control ($9) travelled three-deep with cover and moved into the race strongly on the outside turning for home.
He hit the front under jockey Cory Parish early in the straight and kept finding to comfortably hold $3.20 favourite Show A Star by 1-1/2 lengths on the line.
Bling Dynasty ($4.60) was another long head away third.
“He’s a bit of a horse that likes to look around and I think putting the visor on and taking the nose roll off definitely helped,” Parish said.
Dabernig said the gelding looked in good order for Saturday’s race, his fifth start of the campaign, and believed he could win another one during winter before the better horses return for spring preparations.
“Maybe sitting that bit deep but with the front cover, he travelled nicely today,” Dabernig said.
“At the top of the straight he always looked like he was going to win. He got it all together today and was too strong.
“The way he won today, he’ll win again.”
The victory was Portion Control’s fourth from 19 starts.
