Newmarket Handicap plans for top Bendigo galloper Tollesprit remained on track today when he scored a thrilling last stride win in the Schweppervescence Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
A brilliant first up winner at Flemington a fortnight ago, Tollesprit was sent out the favourite and had plenty of punters cheering when he got his nose down on the line to score by a short half head.
The son of Bel Esprit, a $26,000 graduate from the 2008 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, was suspect at the tighter Moonee Valley track today - but as the class horses usually do, he proved too strong.
"I was a bit concerned because the Valley can bring some horses undone," winning trainer Shane Fliedner said.
"He does take a little while to wind up. That's why he is so well suited at Flemington."
"The first run (and win at Flemington) really tucked him up and while he could easily have been beaten here it really did fit into the pattern."
"But he needed to come here for the gallop."
Fliedner said it looked at though his current stable star would head toward the $1 million Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 6.
"The way the others are dropping off, it probably does," he noted. "He'll get in with no weight and the track certainly suits him."
"He'd be a good chance with a light weight."
The Newmarket has always been on the radar for Fliedner following his close up eighth in a Group One at the same track late last year.
"After the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) in the Spring I set him for these three races all along. So hopefully we'll keep going."
"With the way the others are starting to drop away, I'll just try and get this bloke him and keep him sound."
Fliedner said he wasn't sure when watching the race live if his charge had got up in the last stride to score. He said being on the outside was a great advantage.
"I thought it was close," Fliedner noted. "It's very deceiving."
"I've been here before and thought I'd won in a photo, but got beat. It must have been my turn."
Tollesprit ($2-$2.40-$2.30 fav) put in a big bound on the line and he was able to get up and beat True Persuasion ($2.70-$3.30) by a short half head.
Another length and a quarter back in third place was the well supported early leader Dissolved ($4.40-$4.60-$4).
Tollesprit is turning into an incredible money spinner for connections. The $26,000 buy at Morphettville has now earned over $220,000 from just 11 runs. He also swept away with another Super Vobis bonus.
By the same sire as the sidelined boom filly Black Caviar, Tollesprit is one of four winners from his dam, the top producer Tolleranza.
An unraced daughter of Alzao, Tolleranza is the dam of the Flemington stakes winner Belle Ball, who in turn is the dam of stakes placed youngster Detroit Tiger.
Australian Sports Entertainment
