Race start 13 proved lucky for four-year-old Colt Forty Five who posted an overdue maiden win at Hamilton.
After two recent runs, he was primed for Tuesday’s Bet Boost Maiden Plate (1200m, romping through the very heavy ground to score an emphatic 3-1/2 length victory which trainer Jamie Edwards hopes will be a turning point for the gelding.
“The jockeys who have ridden him kept telling us that he is a good horse so hopefully this will kick him on to better things,” Jamie said.
“He was a far superior to those horses today, travelled beautifully and did it well at the finish.”
Colt Forty Five ($3.20) settled second in the race but the “gluey” track proved challenging for him and jockey Teo Nugent.
“It was a genuine heavy 10 and I was trying not to get there too soon on him at the 300m and then be done at the furlong on that track,” Teo said.
“He didn’t get down the hill that well but once he straightened up, he was able to balance up and found the line.”
Colt Forty Five loomed up approaching the 200 metres and surged away with the odds-on favourite Soundwave ($1.90) chasing in vain.
A big, impressive looking horse, the son of Toronado was expected to win his maiden much sooner than he has and in November last year, was unlucky not to breakthrough when beaten in a photo finish on a heavy 8 at Geelong and at his next start was a close second on Ballarat Cup Day.
“He has been a bit frustrating for his owners Stu and Vicki Mayne but there were a lot of positives to take out of today’s win to head to better grade races,” Jamie said.
“He’s taken some work and more time than we hoped, but we’ve always had a good opinion of him.”