Lightly raced 3YO HANG FIVE atoned for a luckless defeat with a gritty win at Eagle Farm’s midweek meeting.
The dreaded three-wide, no-cover position condemned HANG FIVE to an unplaced finish as an even money favourite over the 1400m Eagle Farm course on February 3, but there were no such problems on Wednesday.
After beginning well from an outside barrier, HANG FIVE was sent to the front by jockey Brodie Loy – a move that ultimately proved decisive.
Loy was able slow his rivals to a near crawl mid-race (including a 12.53 second split from the 800m to 600m), which gave his mount every possible chance of repelling the chasers at the business end.
Though HANG FIVE didn’t immediately respond to Loy’s urgings at the top of the straight, the son of ASTERN eventually clicked into gear and had enough in the locker to hold off the fast-finishing SECURITY ADVISOR by half a length.
The gelding has been remarkably consistent in his short career to date. In eight starts, he’s won twice and placed on four other occasions, including a second behind subsequent stakes winner TYRESA and a third behind gun 3YO SPIRITUALISED.
A bargain $45,000 yearling from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, HANG FIVE is Proven’s 11th winner since January 1 and 22nd for the 2022-23 season.