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Cambridge galloper Sakhee’s Soldier continued on his winning way when he displayed all his fighting qualities to score narrowly in the Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie.
The tenacious four-year-old gelding scored in rating 75 company at Te Awamutu in late October and hasn’t taken a backwards step since with his latest win making it five in a row and seven in total from just 13 career starts.
Despite the impeccable run of form, punters were happy to bet against another win for the son of Sakhee's Secret as they sent him out the 4th favourite in a quality line-up befitting the status of the race.“He really is a super galloper this guy,” said co-trainer Murray Baker immediately after the race.
“He hasn’t stopped improving all the way through and he is such a kind and well-mannered horse, just a delight to do anything with.“That was an enormous performance today as he was wide early in the race and then really fought hard in the straight to get the win.”
Last season’s champion jockey Matt Cameron settled the gelding in midfield early in the race but was trapped three wide for a good distance as outsider Jubilate set a moderate pace in front.Cameron got cover for his mount with about 600 metres to run and issued his challenge as the widest runner on the home bend as he set out after stablemate Diademe and Kisses who were duelling in front.
Knuckling down to the challenge Sakhee’s Soldier thrust his nose in front on the line to deny Kisses who fought bravely for another minor placing at stakes level, her third from her last six starts. Last year’s New Zealand Derby winner Puccini made good ground in the run home to nab third from a game Diademe as the winner clocked a smart 1.34.49 for the 1600 metre journey.Baker was delighted for the gelding’s Melbourne based owners after securing the horse in a private sale from breeder The Oaks Stud.
“They are a good bunch of guys and it’s a great result for them,” he said. “I guess the only downside is that he just doesn’t go anywhere near as good the left-handed way around so I’m not sure if they will get to see him race on their home turf.”Baker was undecided on the gelding’s immediate programme, preferring to let the dust settle on this win before making any decisions.
“I think he is still getting better and I don’t think he will mind going a wee bit further yet,” he said.“The way he relaxes I don’t see running him over 2000 metres as a problem but we won’t be making any decisions until he’s had a few days at home and we see how he comes through the race.