After five consecutive wins, star sprinter I’m Wesley faced his toughest test in the $100,000 Conquering Stakes at Mowbray on Wednesday night.
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But someone forgot to tell the horse that he was opposed to superstar Hellova Street, the $1.30 favourite, and he went on his winning way with another track record performance.
Apprentice Raquel Clark gave I’m Wesley a dream run just off the pace, as stablemates Hellova Street and Box Of Frogs matched strides in the lead.
Hellova Street shook off Box Of Frogs at the 200m but had no answer when challenged by I’m Wesley who went on to score by a length.
Trainer Glenn Stevenson said that finishing second to Hellova Street “would have been OK.”
“I came here with a lot of respect for that horse but I knew I’m Wesley was spot on and I was confident he’d run a strong 1400m,” Stevenson said.
“He’s come on well since he won the Newmarket and he looked the best I’ve ever had him at the beach on Tuesday morning.”
I’m Wesley broke the Mowbray 1200m record last month and now also owns the 1400m record after his time of 1:21.55 took a second off the old mark.
Clark said that she was “pretty happy” in the run.
“I know the favourite is very strong but my horse was travelling so well at the top of the straight,” she said.
HIGHLY-RATED gelding Mister Songman broke the recent dominance of fillies in the $50,000 3YO Cup – but only just.
Speedy filly Gee Gee Lanett led until the last 50m but Mister Songman, who had been given a gun run by Troy Baker, overpowered her to score by a neck.
Last season’s top two-year-old Pateena Arena was 1-¾ lengths away in third place after coming from last.
Fillies had won the 3YO Cup in five of the previous seven years.
Mister Songman has won three of his four starts and trainer Royston Carr now has his sights on the 3YO Vase (1400m) and Tasmanian Guineas (1600m).
“He should get 1600m – his brother (Mister John) was a good miler,” Carr said.
Mister John won the Tasmanian Guineas in 2013 beating Kenjorwood.
After winning his first two starts in dominant fashion, Mister Songman was surprisingly beaten at his next run.
“I think he just got caught out of his comfort zone last start and he ran about in the home straight,” Carr said.
“I was a bit concerned but the horse has done fantastic since then.
“He was helped tonight by a beautiful ride – Troy timed his run to perfection.”
Mister Songman is raced by the estate of the late Dr John Burke who also owned Mister John.