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The Les Bridge-trained Lofty Ambition broke through for an all-the-way win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

He was narrowly beaten at Gosford on November 14 and jockey Tim Clark thought he had won on that occasion, but at Canterbury he made absolutely sure of it controlling things from the start in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1250m).

Clark sent the tall Street Sense gelding out from barrier one and they took up the leading role against the rails from the outset.

Josh Parr brought Habsburg across from barrier seven and eventually was able to sit outside the leader.

Through the turn for the main straight Clark kept a 1/2L advantage over Habsburg but Parr closed as they went for home into the straight.

However, Clark allowed Lofty Ambition more rein and he showed a good turn of foot to have a 1 1/2L margin at the 200m and then he kept up the pace for a 2L winning margin.

Habsburg kept second with first starter Takewing coming into third, the margin 3/4L.

“He has surprised me a bit as I always had him as a mile (1600m) and mile and a quarter (2000m) horse, but he is sprinting pretty good so it probably augurs goes well for the future,” said Bridge.

“He is just a natural running horse and he does not even look like a sprinter, but we will not do a lot with him and maybe give him one more run and then put him out for later on,” he said.

“Probably this preparation is all about teaching him how to race. He has got more to come and he is still pretty green and a bit raw, but for this preparation he can have a few nice confidence boosting wins and learn his trade a bit. He is going in the right direction,” said Clark.