With a bounding run down the outside section of the track, Editors proved too good for a strong group of rivals in the McGuigan BMW Open Handicap at Port Macquarie on Friday.
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Ben Looker rode a patient race and was content to settle the Street Cry gelding near the rear of proceedings before making his move as the field approached the home bend.
Editors was able to round up New Endeavour, Chilly Cha Cha and Cosmic Engine near the 200 metres mark and withstand the late challenge of Evopex and score by a neck margin.
Success was a personal triumph for popular Taree trainer, Ross Stitt, who has experienced the highs and lows of racing with the gelding following the performance in the Country Championships district qualifier behind Lucciola Belle in February.
Editors was tightened for room at his next start during the running of the Hannam Vale Cup at Taree causing Cejay Graham to be dislodged after tightening occurred in the home straight.
Stitt had faith and decided on a recent start at Coffs Harbour to regain confidence, resulting in a fourth behind Boncosta, and his judgement was vindicated with the Open Handicap victory on Friday.
The biggest betting plunge on the program was in the opening event when a Dream Ahead filly having her first official start, Salina Dreaming, was heavily labelled and gave punters no cause for fear when scoring in comprehensive fashion by just over three lengths.
The win provided the first leg of a double for Gosford trainer, Angela Davies, who also tasted success later in the day when Through the Cracks came with a barnstorming run for victory in race four.
Andrew Gibbons was the successful rider for Salina Dreaming in the opener before teaming up with Matthew Robinson in Class 3 when On My Terms scored a narrow victory.
The riding double took the popular Novocastrian to second on the current NSW jockey's premiership with 103 wins behind Greg Ryan and in front of James McDonald, Chad Lever and Tommy Berry.
It was a day for doubles as outstanding horseman, Robert Thompson, was victorious on Chamisal and Shoreditch with both wins providing great encouragement for prominent local trainer, John Sprague.
Snitzel Reign was a deserved winner for Marc Quinn in the Maiden Plate with the gelding expected to progress through the ranks while Big Legged Woman took out an action-packed Class 2 following the late withdrawals of Rosaria Caterina and Lethal Dream prior to start time.
Despite not winning a race on the card, Jenny Graham had encouraging performances provided by Firefly Poppy and The Drake with the confidence of the stable greatly enhanced when stable star, Victorem, was very impressive in a soft barrier trail win over Cogliere.
The meeting was conducted under overcast skies on a soft five track which raced fairly evenly despite providing some advantage for horses making ground down the centre of the track.
The success of the day was greatly assisted with the support provided by McGuigan BMW with all racing enthusiasts encouraged to head down to Hastings River Drive for some of the fine range of BMW's on display while John Oxley Motors has a vast variety of new and used cars from leading manufacturers.
A busy month of racing continues at Port with meetings scheduled for Saturday 20th April to coincide with All Aged Stakes Day at Randwick before action continues on Friday 26th. Featuring a $22,000 Open Handicap over 1200 metres.
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