A great tactical ride and a step up in distance proved the recipe for success for the Rod Symons-trained Makusha last Friday night.
The four-year-old notched his first metropolitan win in the 2040-metre benchmark 70 at The Valley.
The Magnus gelding had been running well at the end of 1600 metres at his last few runs, but after the tempo slackened mid-race at The Valley jockey Tatum Bull decided to test the his stamina with a bold mid-race move.
After pulling early, Makusha was given his head and strode to the lead at the 800-metre mark.
Rivals were out of their comfort zone and unable to reel in Makusha ($11). The final margin was an impressive 2¼ lengths.
The trainer was impressed by the ride.
“It was the ride that won it,” Symons said. “She showed initiative. Took off with no weight on his back and away he went.”
Symons said Makusha’s previous race riders had indicated that the horse was looking for a step up in distance.
The win had added significance for Symons as Makusha is a home-bred, out of King of Kings mare Kusha, a Valley winner for Lindsay Park in 2004.
She has produced seven winners including Play On Words, whom Symons has trained to five wins. Makusha is her first metropolitan winner.
“He was really reluctant to settle so I just let him go,” Bull said.
“He was bloody tough. I thought he’d stop but credit to him, he dug deep.”
Makusha has now had 16 starts for three wins, four minor placings and $120,760.