A significant weight turnaround and a return to firmer footing proved the perfect recipe for Chinqui to regain winning form at Caulfield Heath.
With apprentice Luke Cartwright’s 2kg claim applied, Chinqui received a hefty 8.5kg advantage over short-priced favourite Beast Mode in the Sportsbet More Place Handicap.
That swing, combined with a dry surface, allowed Chinqui ($8) to grind his way past Beast Mode late, scoring by a short neck, with Codigo ($8) the same margin away in third.
James Peters, assistant-trainer with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, said Chinqui’s previous outing on heavy ground was quickly forgiven.
“He didn’t go a yard on that heavy track, so he had a brief freshen up,” Peters said.
“He trialled really well the other day and we were confident as on-pace seems to be the place today and he was from an inside draw.
“We also got a great lead off the favourite and he pinned the ears and really chased hard.
“We had that eight kilos weight swing in our favour, and we wanted to make that horse feel a bit of early pressure by not wanting to hand up straight away.
“He was going pretty quick and Luke used his brain, sat off him, got a lovely cart into the race and with the guts the horse showed, he really wanted to chase that other horse down.”
Beast Mode worked early under Craig Williams to cross and lead, and looked to have the race under control when he kicked clear turning for home.
Inside the final furlong, however, the margin began to shrink rapidly.
“It was pretty textbook what Beast Mode does,” Cartwright said.
“I was hoping to get him to do a little bit to get across and I knew from the 600 (metres) that he gets on his bike himself.
“But I was able to suck up on his back and peel out, however, to be honest I didn’t think I was going to reel him in until the last 100 metres.
“But with the light weight, he just let rip late.”
The win completed a riding double for Cartwright, who earlier saluted aboard Roadcone in the Magic Millions Digital Online Handicap (1500m).
Punters tracking Caulfield Heath form can review markets and results via the Australian betting sites list.
