Former Perth galloper Wayside stamped his class when he won the Carnarvon Growers Association Cup (1400m) on Friday, landing his first win under the care of trainer, Geoff Rodier.
The four-year-old Choisir gelding looks a real find for Rodier, having run third to Peck in the Listed Detonator Stakes (1800m) at Ascot last February.
Having joined Rodier’s stable from Perth trainer, Grant Williams, Wayside had been knocking on the door of a Carnarvon victory after two previous placings.
He ran third to Gaintlike and Tindal over 1000m and 1200m respectively, earning firm favouritism with TAB punters, stating the $2.70 market elect.
Perfectly ridden by apprentice, Kate Fitzgerald, Wayside galloped to an effortless three length victory over Trade Tip with one of the outsiders, Le Nizam third.
“He is a lovely horse to have in the stable but I can’t take any credit for it,” said Rodier.
“A friend of mine used to work with Bob Peters and knew he was up for sale.
“Some of the owners of Tradesman are also involved so they are having a good time of it.
“If I can manage his programme the Carnarvon Cup is on the radar.”
Tindal, trained by Jo Anne Leeson, struggled with top weight of 61kg, never posing as a threat when finishing fifth and 7 1/4 lengths from Wayside.
Leeson was going for a race-to-race double after Tell Me This upset favourite Devilish Intent by a long neck in the Gascoyne Gold Handicap (1600m).
Peter Daly’s hopes that Trade My Pago could end a frustrating run of four consecutive second placings were cruelly dashed.
The son of Trade Fair couldn’t live up to Daly’s expectation or that of punters, finishing well back in seventh place as favourite.
Landing a killer blow was one of the rank outsiders, Scotsdale, who prevailed in a slugging finish over Prickly Feet with Rodinia third.
Veteran jockey, Danny Miller was at his dashing best when he produced a signature front-running ride on Cat Five for trainer, Terry Brennan,
Miller lifted the consistent six-year-old across the line after he was being challenged down the straight by a gallant, Scotland Street.
Sea Tryst belied his $14.60 rating when he charged home from third on the corner to run over the top of Heads Of State.
It was a strong comeback from the Foreplay gelding and the perfect way to commence his new career for trainer, Noel Pateman.
Pateman consolidated his lead in the trainer’s premiership when Matching Motors closed out the winning with a strong finishing burst.