Heavenward has banked connections more than $30,000 in just seven days, completing back-to-back wins at Bendigo on Sunday.
Following an Echuca win the previous weekend, Nikita Beriman again steered the four-year-old son of Squamosa to victory.
Sent out a $4 chance, Heavenward settled outside the leader from a wide alley and refused to give in as the Brent Stanley-trained May Be Fate loomed large.
“They went 100 metres and I thought I should have scratched him given the wide barrier,” trainer Shaun Dwyer said of the early work the horse had to do.
“He’s always shown potential and he’s a four-year-old now who is fit and has confidence so maybe he can go on now.”
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, as Heavenward previously had foot trouble and a condition called “equine shivers”, which causes problems with the hind legs.
Heavenward was bred and races in the silks of David Israel.
Punters may also have recognised the silks of another Dwyer runner at Flemington last Saturday, those of the infamous non-winner Anudjawun.
They were carried by Chilula, who finished an eye-catching fourth behind Fidelia as a $101 chance. The maiden galloper settled last and flashed home at the end of 1600 metres, with her pedigree suggesting she will be only better over further.
The stable also had Miss Leonidas finish a narrow second to Moonlover on the day. The intention is now to give the stakes-winning mare a spell before aiming her at the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
Take two for Like
Like To Think So will start his preparation up the straight at Flemington on Saturday when he takes on a big field in the $75,000 LUCRF Super Handicap (1100m).
His return has been much anticipated since a strong local jumpout win, but was delayed when he had to be scratched at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
“He just wasn’t himself and we didn’t want to risk him but the vets have passed him and he galloped very well on Tuesday morning,” Hann told Winning Post this week.
“It’s a hot race and even field but I’m sure he’s up to it — I’m very happy to be running.”
The aim is still to run Like To Think So second up from a spell in the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill on June 9. He is one of eight runners Hann expects to saddle up over the three-day carnival.
Hann’s last-start Caulfield winner All About Nicci will head back to the Heath next Saturday for heat two of the Leilani Series. In July she’ll tackle the Sir John Monash and Blethcingly Stakes, chasing black type before her retirement.
Team-handed
Shane Fliedner will head to Flemington with optimism on Saturday when he saddles up three juveniles in the $125,000 Cobcroft Support National Jockeys Trust Trophy (1200m).
The most fancied by punters is St Edward’s Crown, who debuted with an eye-catching at Seymour this month. Damien Thornton has been booked to partner the half-sister to Godolphin’s Group 2 winner Viridine, after she was scratched when well supported at Flemington last Saturday. Stewards later found the filly not to be lame.
The stable’s two debutants in Saturday’s race both competed strongly in a recent set of Tatura trials. Harry Coffey will ride Hi Stranger, a Zoffany colt who cost the stable $50,000 at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale. Travail, a $16,000 buy by Reward for Effort, also impressed at the trials and will be ridden by Brett Prebble.
Fliedner hopes for some forward showings on Saturday, with an eye towards the $100,000 Elvstroem Classic over the Swan Hill carnival.