Apprentice helps Long Knife get winning edge back

Talented sprinter Long Knife has stormed into calculations for Sunday’s $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m) at Mt Barker after lumping 60.5kg to hold on and win the Great Southern Supplies Handicap (1100m) at Percy Spencer Racecourse.

Now back with owner-trainer Des Attwell, Long Knife raced second-up on Saturday, 62 days after his first-up assignment where he finished last in Mt Barker.

The seven-year-old got cellulitis after kicking out a rail after that first-up run and Attwell has been getting on top of the condition ever since.

Racing in far lower grade than he had in almost a year, the Medal Of Honour gelding jumped a $26.90 chance on the tote and was shot straight to the front by 3kg claiming apprentice Ashley Carmichael-Hillan from barrier four.

With a handy lead coming into the home straight, Carmichael-Hillan surged clear of her rivals and was able to hold off the fast-finishing Twisted Mountain ($15) by a long head with $2 favourite Ellens Choice back in third place.

“He got cellulitis and it’s one of those things you have to manage and keep on top of,” Attwell said.

“I would have been happy if he ran in the top three but the apprentice rode him well, especially with a lot of dead weight.”

Long Knife, a winner at eight of his 38 career starts, was in brilliant form in the Great Southern last season on his way to four wins before running third to Run Liam Run in the Fitzpatrick Plate.

“We will have a look at the Mungrup Stud Sprint now or the 68+ 1100m race on the same day,” Attwell said.

“That’s the two options we are looking at.”

Consistent type Friarfighter broke through for an impressive win earlier in the Albany Racing Club card on Saturday after a perfect ride from Daniel Staeck.

Staeck finished with a winning double after guiding troublesome galloper Hostwin Pegasus to victory in the Rob Sutton — Nationals Candidate For Albany Handicap (1100m).

Well supported into $2.70 favourite on the back of a strong second last start, the Peter Western-trained five-year-old rocketed home from fourth on the turn to down Our Buddy Boy by 1¾ lengths.

Hostwin Pegasus, formerly trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, has won three of 16 career starts.

“He’s had a few issues but we’ve shown a bit of patient with him,” Western said.

“We’ve had him over 12 months but he’s all good now and I think he can improve a bit more on that performance.”