A SUPER ride gave short-priced Warrnambool-trained favourite Gold Medals every chance to win in the novice hurdle (3200m) on Thursday.
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Jockey Shane Jackson tracked leader and second favourite ($2.70) Twin Tea Bags throughout the two mile test before swooping on the lead and holding off Twin Tea Bags in the run to the finish line.
Gold Medals ($2.1 favourite) won by 1.25 lengths with Caulfield jumper Hucknall ($4.80) another 20 lengths away third.
Winning trainer Symon Wilde said it seemed the better going was out wide on the track which was rated a heavy 8.
He said it was a well-timed run by Jackson.
"The stalked Twin Tea Bags. The question mark was his staying ability and he was taking fairy steps towards the end," he said.
"On the drying track and saving every inch of ground, Shane gave him every chance. It was an absolutely marvellous ride."
Wilde said Gold Medals does have a future as a jumper.
"It was pretty hard to convince the owners about the novice hurdle after he ran second in the Terang Cup behind Master Zephyr when the Warrnambool Cup was on offer," he said.
"We could set him towards the Galleywood Hurdle next year, he just jumps so well. He got close to one jump but otherwise he was pretty good. He's on the way up."
Wilde also recognised his support crew.
"Thanks to all the team at home, all the staff and jockeys. It's a tough caper and every trainer needs that support," he said.
"We're still a family business. My sisters and Mum are involved. We're all Warrnambool born and bred, we race here, we don't have satellite stables or anything like that. Dad still does a lot of buying of the yearlings."
Wilde was a bit unsure of plans for Gold Medals, which previously contested the Sandown Guineas and finished third in the Hilton Hotel Stakes.
"He's suited to that minor country cups and hurdling now," he said.
"Shane really showed what he can do. He's an under-utilised jockey. He was an outstanding apprentice and he does a lot of the school and work with our horses.
"He's still looking at flat riding and riding in those benchmark 58 races," he said.