Significance, a son of champion Frankel, has been a work in progress for trainer Claire Cunningham but he finally put it all together to win at Rosehill.
City Win Has Significance For Cunningham
He broke the toe of one staff member and almost squashed another but all was forgiven when Significance posted his first city win for trainer Claire Cunningham.
Cunningham took over the training of the Frankel entire at the start of his current campaign and it has been an interesting ride.
The four-year-old weighs in at a massive 600kg and being a stallion, his mind is not always on racing.
“Greg Pratt who handles the horse, we both nearly got squished saddling him today,” Cunningham said.
“One of my other staff members is on ‘compo’ after having his toe broken by the horse.
“He’s not mean and to be honest, you feel sorry for him. He’s got an accelerated scent.
“He can tell if there’s a girl coming from 50 metres away.”
Getting Significance fit has also been a challenge but Cunningham’s hard work and patience was finally rewarded at Rosehill on Saturday.
Ridden by the trainer’s partner Jason Collett, Significance ($7.50) camped off the leader and rallied to win the Sky Racing Active Handicap (2000m) by a half neck over frontrunner Gone Bye ($3.70), who was brave in defeat.
The $2.60 favourite Accountability closed late to grab third.
Cunningham will look to back up Significance in next weekend’s Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick and feels the horse will have no trouble handling a quick turnaround.
“The fitter he gets, the happier and healthier he gets,” Cunningham said.
“The owners have kept him an entire for a reason and that’s to try to get black type.”
Collett landed a double aboard Significance after taking out the first race aboard Oscar Zulu for Chris Waller.
James McDonald took the riding honours with four winners, opening his account aboard promising three-year-old The Elanora before adding to his tally aboard Pandemic, Vitesse and Surreal Step.