Underrated stayer Fly My Wey showed there is more in store for him when he came out on top after a stirring battle in the Aztech Signs 2100 (2100m) at Tauranga.
The Mark Brosnan-trained six-year-old has been a consistent performer during an extended campaign that saw him race throughout the winter and into the spring, collecting the Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final (2100m) and several minor placings along the way.
Regular pilot Jasmine Fawcett was aboard again on Saturday and had the son of Sweynesse travelling sweetly in midfield before creeping forward towards the leaders approaching the home bend.
Just as Fawcett looked to push the button on Fly My Wey and move into contention he was hampered by horses swooping around the outside of him, putting him in a pocket and needing plenty of luck to get a crack at the leaders.
Fawcet angled him down into space one off the fence and he burst to the front at the 150m before gamely holding out the challenges of race favourites Jolted and The Odyssey to collect his sixth career victory.
Brosnan had worried his charge may have been found wanting after his lengthy preparation but was delighted to see him show plenty of fight to claim the victory.
“He has been up a long while and I thought he may have been over the top, but I was wrong,” Brosnan said.
“Jasmine had him bolting on the corner but needing a run, but luckily she got it.
“I’ve been tempted to give him a crack at the Wanganui Cup (Listed, 2040m) so that’s what I am aiming towards.”
Fawcett was honest in her assessment of the luck she had entering the home straight which allowed her mount to put himself into winning contention.
“I was in a bad spot for a while there but then a gap opened up on the fence so I was quite fortunate as otherwise I would have thrown that away,” she said.
“I put my irons up a hole today as he is a horse that pulls and I knew he needed cover, so when we got that everything worked out.”
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