Renowned Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh had every reason to celebrate as his consistent four-year-old, Financier, returned to the winner's circle at Hastings, New Zealand on Saturday.
The son of Tavistock, lightly raced but full of promise, settled comfortably in midfield along the fence under the composed guidance of Opie Bosson.
With precision, Financier surged through the field as they rounded the home turn, ultimately bursting into contention at the 150m mark.
This victory was particularly satisfying for Financier's connections, as he had narrowly missed out on a win when he finished second to Jimmysstar on the first day of the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival.
However, on this occasion, Financier held off the runner-up, Don Pauly, securing victory by a neck at the post.
Despite the inclement weather conditions, which included showers and a chilly wind throughout the day, Stephen Marsh remained in good spirits.
He humorously remarked, “I really like this horse; it's funny the weather seems to be getting warmer here; it's not so cold.”
Opie Bosson, who had just returned from a successful Trans-Tasman mission to claim the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley with Te Akau's star sprinter Imperatriz, praised Financier's performance.
He noted that the horse tends to get to the front too easily in previous races and can lose focus, but Bosson managed him expertly on this occasion.
Financier's first attempt on a heavy surface, with the conditions downgraded to a Heavy 9 by the time of his race, didn't seem to faze the gelding.
Marsh acknowledged that he hadn't had much experience on heavy tracks before this, but he handled the wet conditions admirably.
“He gets there, and he pulls up on you, he did today, and in the last five strides, I felt like I was walking on the line,” said Bosson.
“He just pricks his ears and has a look around. He got through the ground really well, he traveled nicely, and all the gaps opened up at all the right times, we probably got there a little too easy.”
As for Financier's future, Marsh hinted at the possibility of him contesting the Coupland's Mile (Group 2, 1600m) and expressed his confidence in the horse's ability.
“He's a cool customer; he's got a nomination for the Coupland's Mile, so he could end up getting down there at some stage, but he's a really nice horse.”