Lightly raced Hunter gelding Two Big Fari has confirmed plans to head to the Country Championships qualifying heat at Tamworth with a fighting Highway Handicap victory at Rosehill.
Despite racing keenly in the early stages, the $5 chance responded under hard riding from Brenton Avdulla to kick back and outgun Schappose ($21) by a long head.
The winner’s Muswellbrook-based trainer Todd Howlett says Saturday’s success has earned Two Big Fari a shot at the Country Championships qualifying heat at Tamworth on March 8.
If he can finish in the top two there, he will book a spot in the $500,000 Final at Randwick on April 4.
“I was hoping we’d get that result and now we can go to the heat,” Howlett said.
“He’s a big, raw fellow. He still doesn’t know what he’s doing yet. There is a lot of improvement in him.”
Hugh Bowman warned punters to forgive beaten favourite Mr Wong, who did not get much room in the straight and finished fourth.
“Barrier one worked against him. He is a big horse and he needs more galloping room but that was definitely a pass mark for me,” Bowman said.