Prospect Brings Up Prizemoney Milestone

Wednesday, 23 June 2010 04:02

Seasoned sprinter-miller Prospect passed the $200,000 mark after winning the $30,000 Essendon Hyundai i45 0-78 Handicap (1533m) at Moonee Valley on Wednesday.

Trained by Tracey Templeton at Moe, it was very much a family affair with her husband Paul, two daughters and son trackside to watch Prospect prevail.

Craig Newitt drove Prospect forward out of barrier seven before establishing a geniune tempo mid-race.

As they turned for home Newitt skipped away and opened up a 1-1/2 length advantage on the chasing pack.

Dashatin, who had settled in third position, was caught flat-footed as Prospect sprinted but accelerated late to make the finish interesting.

Prospect ($4.20-$6-$5) defeated Dashatin ($11-$15) by a half length with nine-year-old multiple stakes winner Raid The Royals ($51-$71) finishing a further 1-1/4 length in third.

Express Star ($4.20-$5-$4.60) was unable to give Nathan Rose a race-to-race double after only holding his ground fairly in the straight to finish fourth, four lengths from the winner.

After the handicapper allocated Prospect with 59 kilos, Templeton chose not to take a claim as she believes Craig Newitt suits the six-year-old gelding.

“It was wonderful, they do hit it off really well together. He rides him well and we didn’t want to split that up,” Templeton said with records showing that Newitt has won on Prospect three times from eight rides.

Newitt said Prospect enhanced his own chances with an uncharacteristic slick start out of the stalls.

“He began a lot better today then he normally does,” Newitt said.

“He takes five or six strides to find his feet but today he flew the lids, I used him and he got there.

“He didn’t really back off, he ran them along at a genuine tempo the whole race but this sort of track suits him as he’s able to kick off the corner and pinch a winning break,” he said.

As to what Templeton has in mind for Prospect, “We’ll go home, have a look and see what’s coming up but enjoy the win first.”

A winner of seven from 49 starts, Prospect has won in excess of $215,000 in prizemoney.

Pictures: Colin Bull