Gallant six-year-old Heptagon (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) maintained his winning run of form when successful at Flemington in the Brian Beattie Handicap (1420m) under top-weight of 61.5kgs.
The son of Jimmy Choux has now won three races in succession and took his career tally to 10 victories from 31 starts and A$533,190 in prizemoney.
Prepared by Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr), the duo have been quick to deflect praise to their staff based at Warrnambool, with trainer Matthew Williams playing a crucial role in Heptagon’s rich vein of form.
“We don’t take any credit,” Kent jnr said.
“It’s all credit to Matthew Williams and his team at Warrnambool. They do a great job with this horse.
“He’s at the beach in the mornings and back in the paddock in the daytime. It really seems to suit him. These horses really suit that environment, they wouldn’t cope as well at Caulfield and he’s in career best form.”
He also praised the ride of Dean Yendall who retained the mount after winning on the Swan Hill Cup (1600m) on the gelding, despite the light-weight jockey having a hefty lead bag.
“The jockey is flying and it was a perfect ride,” Kent jnr said. “He saved all the ground on the fence and the horse is in fantastic order.
Heptagon will now be seen back at Flemington in a fortnight for the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m).
Yendell said the gelding coped well coming back in distance from the mile at Swan Hill last starts.
“He was strong through the line today going back from the mile to the 1400m. It didn’t worry him at all,” he said.
“He won it well and with a big weight so go the lightweight jockeys.”
Heptagon was raised and sold by Bradbury Park. He was offered on behalf of Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud at the 2015 Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka and bought by Price for $150,000.
He is from Seven Schillings, the top filly on the 2008-09 NZ 2YO Free Handicap as the winner of the Gr.3 Taranaki Classic (1200m) and runner-up in the Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Heptagon is the elder half-brother to Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins).
