John Bateman-trained four-year-old WAR DECK led home a Proven Thoroughbreds quinella at Goulburn on Friday.
Despite being unwanted in betting at $21, WAR DECK overcame a three-wide run to defeat the Joe Pride-trained and fellow Proven Thoroughbreds runner IS THAT SO by three-quarters of a length.
The soft hands of rider Kayla Nisbet allowed WAR DECK to settle in the 1500m event which proved the difference at the business end of the race.
WAR DECK had previously displayed a tendency to over-race, so Friday’s maiden-breaking win represented an important milestone in the gelding’s career as he learns more about what it takes to become a racehorse.
The result is testament to the patience and horsemanship of John Bateman who has had to reach into his bag of tricks to get WAR DECK on the straight and narrow.
Runner-up IS THAT SO lost no admirers in his performance. The son of SO YOU THINK has now placed in four of his six starts and is knocking on the door for a win.
Proven Thoroughbreds’ yearly tally of winners has climbed to 43 while our seasonal score stands at 8 winners.