SWAN Hill’s Nathan Hobson came within a nose of landing a back-to-back double at Sunday’s Horsham Cup meeting after his bush regular Highway To Success won the $35,000 West Side Horsham Handicap over 1100m.
Jockey Will Gordon got Highway To Success in a good position on the fence just behind the pacemakers, riding patiently until a gap opened as they hit the home straight.
Gordon steered him clear by a long neck after a fast finish by fellow longshot Fi Style.
Hobson said Highway To Success was a “good, honest little horse” who had evolved into a strong performer in non-TAB meetings.
The six-year-old gelding has raced as far afield as Broken Hill, Moulamein, Carathool, Hay and Wycheproof.
After COVID-19 ended non-TAB meetings, he brought the now six-time winner into the mainstream regional circuit.
“Obviously, with the TABs gone, I looked at the small field in this race, and I can’t thank Will Gordon enough,” Hobson said.
“He rides really well.
“We’ve had a lot of fun with this horse over the years at those non-TABs and he’s also been a wonderful horse for (apprentice jockey) Madison Lloyd to learn on.
“And he looked a treat in the yard today.”
Gordon said Highway To Success had showed good speed.
“Luckily they were going quickly enough that my fellow didn’t have to overdo it because he can throw his head about a bit and get too keen,” Gordon said.
“So we maintained the tempo and then were lucky to get a nice split at the top of the straight.”
Hobson’s more fancied five-year-old gelding Orienzel got blocked everywhere jockey Jarrod Fry tried to take him.
Orienzel, still full of running, finished fourth, but over a similar distance would have every chance.
After Highway To Success took out race 4, paying a whopping $24.80, Hobson’s charge Pill Box looked home and hosed in the $35,000 Locks Constructions Handicap over 1200m.
But Horsham trainer Paul Preusker’s Lowanna Magic stormed down the outside of the field to narrowly snatch victory.
