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Stout Hearted has relished rising to 1900m and a breakneck tempo set up front winning the Canterbury BMW Strong Relations Handicap on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Chris Waller-trained gelding had commenced his latest campaign with two most encouraging runs and was always expected to improve further third up rising in trip.
Midfield in the run behind a suicidal tempo set by Havana Rey, Stout Hearted clinically got into space on straightening as his cruised away to a commanding 4.5 length win over Lethal Arrow.
“The race panned out to suit him,” Waller said.
“He is still learning the game and settling and I think with that frantic pace today it gave him a chance to settle. Even then he was a bit keen.”
Waller was quick to praise Nathan Berry who is now two from two aboard the Dynaformer gelding having won aboard him first up at Rosehill.
“Nathan never panicked, we were conscious of getting stuck on the fence,” Waller said.
“Nathan to his credit backed his own judgement and stayed there and got a nice gap and it was good to see him accelerate as quickly as he did.
“He showed that acceleration first up and maybe it was a case of second up syndrome last start but to come back and do it again today, it was great.”
The leading Sydney trainer is hopeful the UK import can continue his rise through the grades this campaign, highlighting The Verminator as another stablemate who raced through the winter before tasting Group success in the spring.
“Just to keep winning races is his aim,” Waller said.
“It is a good time of year and we've have a bit of luck with these types of horses. I could compare him to a horse like The Verminator last year. He was just winning midweeks, then Saturday's and then he ended up winning a Metropolitan.
“You need things to fall your way but he has got plenty of condition on him, he is a racehorse and he will be up for a long prep.”