Trainer Murray Garrett and jockey Sam Spratt continued their winning association of late when the pair combined to guide Overrated (NZ) (Wrote) to victory in one of the feature events at Ruakaka on Saturday, the ITM/GIB Progressive Winter Championship Final (1600m).
Garrett, who prepares a small team from his base at Pukekohe Park, is enjoying a purple patch of form with Overrated picking up the second win of his career after breaking his maiden status on a heavy track in the hands of Spratt back in May.
The four-year-old son of Wrote travelled comfortably behind midfield in the early stages before tracking eventual runner-up Delorean (NZ) (Time Test) into contention at the 800m when the pace eased.
Delorean looked to have her rivals covered with 200m to run, however Spratt got busy in the final stages and Overrated lifted nicely to grab Delorean in the shadows of the post with Loose Change (NZ) (The Bold One) finishing off well to take third.
Garrett was delighted with the victory after his charge had gone a better race than it looked on paper when finishing near last over 1200m at the venue a fortnight ago.
“He goes good, and I thought he would be a chance stepping up in distance even though he only finished ninth in the sprint here last time,” Garrett said.
“He doesn’t mind the ground (Good 4) so we were hopeful.
“Spratty has always told me he prefers the better going and it was a good ride as she read it pretty well when she decided to go forward after getting caught out (wide a bit).”
Overrated is out of the stakes-placed Entrepreneur mare Vision (NZ) who is a daughter of former outstanding stayer Eye Full (NZ) (Palatable) who won eleven races and finished runner-up in the 1988 Gr.1 New Zealand Cup (3200m) behind Sapio (NZ) (Vice Regal).
The victory was the second on the card for Spratt after she took out the opening event aboard local runner Patricia (NZ) (Super Easy) for trainer Rick Wells.
