It was more a sense of relief for trainer Joe Pride and owners when HIGH TRIBUTE saluted in the 1400m 3yo Maiden at Kembla Grange Saturday.
The grey filly had raced half a dozen times previously for current connections after she was purchased last year from a Gooree Stud Dispersal Sale at Magic Millions for $45k.
Blaike McDougall’s skilful ride and the addition of blinkers sparked the last to first form reversal. Trainer Joe Pride, disappointed in the filly’s failure at Wyong first up, applied the shades, sent her to the more spacious Kembla circuit and stretched her slightly to 1400m.
“Have always thought this filly had staying potential. She’s a lovely, big strider with a strong constitution but had lacked the killer blow to put races away,” Pride said.
“Hopefully she can now go on with it over longer distances.”
The race was farcically run early (51.4 secs for the first 800m) enabling HIGH TRIBUTE to land in a one out and one back position after beginning brilliantly.
Despite running about in the straight she proved too strong in the latter stages under a dextrous change of whip hands from McDougall.
The victory was Proven’s 24th winner for the calendar year and 51st for the 20/21 season, ending a frustration run of placings through May.