Toru Waimarie makes up for lost ground with commanding sprint home

Albany trainer Gerry Hughes opened his account for the new Great Southern season with veteran galloper Toru Waimarie saluting at Mt Barker.

In his second start this campaign, Toru Waimarie dropped back to 1300m and produced a wonderful finish down the outside to score the eighth victory of his career.

Ridden by apprentice Beaux Banovic-Edwards, the eight-year-old was slow into stride and lost two lengths at the start to settle last in the 10-horse field.

Toru Waimarie was eighth on the home corner but Banovic-Edwards got him into clear galloping room and they produced a sizzling finish to beat Time To Hunt by one length in the Support Your Local Business Handicap (1300m).

At his first start this campaign, the Danehill Express gelding finished an impressive fourth to Bentley’s Brother in Albany.

Friday’s win was also a first success in the Great Southern this season for Banovic-Edwards, who was last season’s top apprentice in the region.

Losing Ticket scored a second win at the Mt Barker track, almost a year after her last success at the venue.

On November 29 last year, Losing Ticket won a class two race in Mt Barker for Esperance trainer Melda Daniels.

Daniels teamed up with Albany hoop Natasha Faithfull 363 days later to win the New Year’s Eve At The Races Handicap (1850m) with the same horse.

After finishing last at her two most recent runs in Kalgoorlie, Losing Ticket came from fifth on the turn to easily score by 2¼ lengths over Blue Turns To Grey.

After settling last in running, the seven-year-old mare raced wide from the 800m and was far too strong in the finish to record a third win in 39 career starts.

A brilliant final 600m ensured Athlone Castle improved his record to six wins from 23 starts.

The Maurice Sheridan-trained gelding flew home to grab Sauvegarde in the shadows of the post.

Meanwhile, apprentice Kristo Sardelic was fined $250 for using his whip on four additional occasions prior to the 100m in race three aboard Amber Highway and he copped a $400 penalty for using his whip on five additional occasions prior to the 100m on Sir Snugalot in race seven.