Star Patrol did it the tough way to land the prize in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Sprint at Flemington.
Firstly, the Clinton McDonald-trained sprinter had to do a lot of the hard work on the speed before having to hold the 1200m sprint on Saturday in the Stewards’ room.
Blake Shinn, the rider of the second-placed King Of Sparta, fired in a protest alleging interference over the final 100m.
After a short deliberation, the protest was dismissed.
Ridden by Ben Melham, Star Patrol ($4.20) scored a short-head win from King Of Sparta ($26) with the $2.60 favourite Benedetta the same margin away third.
McDonald said it was a hard watch with Star Patrol being left in front so far from home.
“It was a bloody long straight,” McDonald said.
“I know that they were burning along up front, but those speed horses dropped off.
“He was left there for a fair while out so for a first-up run it was a great effort.
“He’ll come on from that, and that race will give him a lot of confidence.
“He’ll know that it’s not hurting him, and I think he’ll be a happy horse.”
McDonald said he plans on returning to Flemington for the Group 2 Gilgai Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on October 7, after which a decision will made where the sprinter heads.
He said the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival could be a possibility while McDonald is also keen to extend the sprinter out to 1400m.
McDonald said a new slot race, The Bluff Knoll at Albany followed by The Quokka at Ascot were also options being looked at.
Melham allowed Star Patrol to build through his gears, although the jockey admitted that he pressed the button too soon on the sprinter.
“He just seems to be go a lot better when you let him build when he wants to build as opposed to restraining him,” Melham said.
“He’s quite big and rowdy and boisterous so he pulls you around a lot and you’ve just got to go with him.
“First-up today, he’s going to bloody sleep well tonight and he’ll probably need some time between runs, but we got the job done.”
