New Zealand-bred horses went 1-2 in the Behind The Barriers “Boxing Challenge” 7/8 (2000m) at Caulfield with Red Santa (NZ) (Redwood) prevailing over Flossing (NZ) (Tavistock).
After a couple of runs that his co-trainer Ciaron Maher said had toughened Red Santa in Sydney, the gelding returned to Caulfield to claim a hard-fought win.
It took a masterful ride from Jamie Kah to land the prize and give the Jockeys’ Premiership leader her 101st metropolitan win for the season.
But to claim first prize Red Santa, the $2.10 favourite, had to survive a protest from runner-up Flossing for alleged interference at the 50m mark.
After a long hearing, Racing Victoria stewards dismissed the objection.
Maher said his team in Sydney had done a “super job” with the son of Redwood.
“I haven’t seen this horse for a little while,” Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, said.
“He’s been up at our Sydney stable and I thought he had really hardened up.
“I thought he was fluctuating his weight a little bit but after a couple of tough runs up there, he paraded well and the team have done a good job.
“Normally it’s the other way around when we send them up but they’ve done a great job.
“The owners have had a great season with (three-time Derby winner) Explosive Jack and the like.
“It’s a great way to round if off for them.”
For Kah, who earlier on Saturday’s program landed her history making 100th win for the season, said winner number 101 sounds a lot better.
“(Brett) Prebble still thinks he crossed the line 100 times, so now I’ve beaten him,” Kah said.
“I’m not one for publicity and the crowds but it’s a pretty cool feeling out there. We haven’t heard that roar from the crowd for a while.”
Red Santa was purchased by Maher for $100,000 out of Westbury Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft. He is out of Encosta De Lago mare Sesenta, a daughter of Group One winner Sixty Seconds (NZ) (Centaine). It is also the family of Group One winners Xtravagant (NZ) (Pentire) and Legs (NZ) (Pins).
The previous race was taken out by Falls (NZ) (Niagara) who continued his good form when bringing up his third win from five starts.
The five-year-old gelding was stepping up to 2000m for the first time and relished the extra distance under a positive ride from apprentice Alana Kelly.
“It is a trip I have always wanted to get him to but he has always been a little bit keen,” trainer Michael Kent said. “Credit to Damian Lane, he has been riding him and trying to get him to switch off but last time he road him he actually switched off too much.
“It was always the plan to come here and claim.
“I was (concerned with the early pace) because you are going up a hill there and I said to Alana to stay wide and take your time going across because they are expecting you to lead.
“He got there easy enough. You just have to keep him rolling, you go too slow on him and they are going to catch you.
“He is thriving and he couldn’t have come to the races any better. We will probably give him another one or two. We would like to think he would make a country cups horse in time.”
