Starspangled Saga produced a super performance to take out the last race at Murray Bridge in her first run from a long break.
The five-year-old daughter of Real Saga came into Saturday’s Benchmark 62 (1000m) with just the one public trial but produced the performance of the day when flashing home late to steal victory.
Cassie Oxlade, who trains in partnership with father Shane, said the long spell between runs had nothing to do with the horse but came down to circumstance for the stable.
“Not for any reason other than the fact that we had too many horses in work so she was in the paddock for that period of time but she’s got no injuries and is good,” Oxlade said.
“She’s been a really good horse, she’s been out for a while and did a really good job.
“She had a few jump outs at home prior to the trial, the first one was average but the other two were good so we came here with some confidence.”
It was one of two rides on the day for jockey Ryan Hurdle, who got the timing right aboard Starspangled Saga after she spotted the leader eight lengths at the 300m mark.
“It worked out good and the way the track was playing, it worked to our favour,” Hurdle said.
“When she has won her races it’s been when she’s been ridden a bit colder and she enjoyed the strong tempo today.
“Any day with a winner is a good day.”
Trainer Travis Doudle has had a big week and got Pudding to win at Murray Bridge. Picture: Brendan McCarthy-Racing Photos
Meanwhile, promising four-year-old Pudding made it back-to-back wins when holding on for a gutsy win in the Benchmark 86 over a mile.
The son of Tavistock was up in weight off his last start demolition and had to find plenty turning for home after setting a hot tempo in the middle stages of the race.
He looked to be under siege at the 300m mark when challenged by the stakes-placed Chief Altony but under the guidance of Todd Pannell, Pudding found a second wind late to get up by half a length.
It was one of two winning rides for Pannell on the day after steering Pegasi to victory in the opening race.
It also continued a strong week for the Traivs Doudle stable after Not Usual Glorious was able to capture the $175,000 Swan Hill Cup earlier in the week.