Jockey Jake Noonan redeemed himself with a well-judged front-running ride on Tori’s Dee after a lost whip cost him victory on stablemate Lou Lou’s Choice earlier in the day.
In driving rain, Lou Lou’s Choice loomed up to win the McLean Water Works Maiden Plate but passing the 200m Jake’s whip slipped out of his hand and the mare went down by a long neck.
The defeat denied the stable winning treble on the day with stablemates El Sordo and Tori’s Dee, both scoring later in the day.
“It was a great day for the stable, but we probably should have finished with three wins,” trainer Jamie Edwards said.
“We have had a lot of success with Jake, and it was just one of those things where the conditions were greasy, and he lost his whip at a vital time.”
In the heavy conditions, Jake dictated the pace in the lead on Tori’s Dee, mindful of keeping plenty in the tank for the home straight.
After beating off Lascars at the 100 metres, the gutsy grey was confronted with another challenge from the fast-finishing veteran A Good Yarn ($7) who looked set to add to his unbeaten Werribee record.
Renowned for strutting around the stable, Tori’s Dee ($5) was up for the fight and held on by a head in a heart-stopping finish to land the TAB BM64 Hcp (1008m).
James Edwards said it was a popular victory as the stable staff had jumped on board to race the gelding.
“He’s a real character around the place,” James said.
“He is only pony-sized, but he carries on like he is Phar Lap.”
Tori’s Dee is a 1000m specialist with all four of his wins in 18 starts being at the distance.