Five-year-old Racey Casey lay the foundation for better class races when she impressed in a significantly easier assignment at Hamilton.
The ever-consistent Toronado mare has been rarely far away in her races and posted her second career win in Monday’s The Cally Hamilton BM56 Hcp (1400m) after finishing midfield in 66-company last start.
Wearing winkers for the first time since finishing fourth at Caulfield in November last year, she caused jockey Jack Hill some concern mid-race but quickly allayed his fears with powerful her home straight finish.
“She travelled really kind for me early, but I was getting a little bit worried about the 600 metres when she got up on the chewy and a little bit strong,” Jack said.
“I didn’t want to bring her back, so I just put her in a three-wide line to improve her position and once we straightened up and I asked her to quicken, she really let rip and hit the line strongly.
“No doubt it will give her a good confidence boost to take on better class races.”
Trainer Jamie Edwards said an impressive track gallop last week buoyed the stable’s confidence at Hamilton.
“She had the winkers back on, was down a lot in class and no horse in the race would have worked better on the track than her last week,” Jamie said.
Backed from $3.70 to $3.30 favourite, Racey Casey raced away to beat Parkrun ($21) by 2-1/4 lengths with Popthebubbly ($20) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Racey Casey has finished top five in 12 of her 16 starts which have featured two wins, four seconds and a third.