Class galloper Sacred Satono put his name firmly in the frame for a proposed Queensland Winter Carnival venture when he kicked off a new campaign with an impressive victory at Ellerslie in the opening event.
The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained four-year-old had last been seen on raceday when finishing midfield in the Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night and stripped in good condition despite not having trialled before his resumption.
With rider Triston Moodley using his 3kg claim to bring the son of Satono Aladdin's topweight down to a manageable 58kg impost, Sacred Satono looked well placed despite giving weight to his nine rivals including 4kgs to race favourite Pour The Wine.
Moodley was in no rush on the topweight, allowing him to settle in midfield behind tearaway pacemakers One More Time and Is That So in the early running before easing into contention approaching the home turn.
Allowed to drift to the middle of the track, Sacred Satono quickly hit the front and put the race to bed in a few strides. Despite being hotly challenged by Pour The Wine and Imprevu he held the pair out by a length and a half in a slick time of 1.09.68 on a track rated a Soft 5 despite some heavy and persistent rain throughout the morning.
Cooksley was pleased with the performance as he outlined the future plans for his charge.
“He went really well and has been working okay and he goes pretty good fresh-up,” Cooksley said.
“He hasn't done a lot since his last run, just a couple of jump-outs and we brought him here today to see how he was going.
“We're thinking about going to Brisbane, but will see what happens.
“A race like the Stradbroke (Group 1, 1400m) is an option and couple of races beforehand where we will work it out from there.”
A rain soaked Moodley sported a beaming smile as he described the victory.
“It's a bit wet out there but seemed good underfoot and I was on the best horse in the field so it was easy for me,” he said.
“I just gave him a smack and he pinned his ears back and the rest was history as he flew home.”