Winning Horse: Summaroca (Nz)

3yoG El Roca (Aus) - Summalucky (NZ)(Zabeel (NZ))

6 starts - 3 wins 1 third 1 fourth $119100

Other Wins

1st Ballarat Sportsbet-Makes It Easy-Bm64 1400m (2021)

1st Bairnsdale Bairnsdale Sporting Center Mdn 1200m (2021)

Other Placings

3rd Kyneton Cams Security Mdn Plate 1200m (2020) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Summaroca (T Stockdale/T Busuttin & N Young) - $21

2nd: Mark Of The Man (M Poy/A Purcell) - $41
3rd: Vibrant Glider (W Price/P Stokes) - $9.50

Winning Time: 1:25.14 Last 600m: 35.72

Margins: ½ Head x Short Head

Winning Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young (rep by Sam Griggs)

“He certainly is a horse on the way up after winning on debut his maiden at Bairnsdale. To come to town as a three-year-old with plenty of upside, there is a fair bit to like about him going forward.

Surface: “We were confident he’d handle it. It’s not too affected out there. We know how well Flemington drains but he’s a versatile, professional horse and that’s as tough as you’d see.”

Instructions: “There was a bit of a mixed bag. We were going to go back but looking at the speed there wasn’t a lot in it so we said if he jumps, go forward. He had to work a bit early but he got there and got into a good rhythm. Then at the 200 (metre mark) he had every right to drop out but he kept finding in the straight.

“Going forward I think we’ve got a well above average horse and it’s great to win in the Tommy Heptinstall colours. He’s a great backer of the stable. Fantastic to get a winner for him and fantastic for Tom Stockdale to get another city winner.”

Winning Jockey: Thomas Stockdale

“Every time he’s stepped out since his first win at Bairnsdale I’ve always thought that he’s a horse that will improve each time I get on him. I didn’t think he’d improve this quickly. He’s certainly taken racing in his stride.

“The team have done a magnificent job with him. He’s still got a bit of maturity to come and to bulk up a bit more. You’ll see a better horse even next prep.

“He can always jump well but from that outside barrier you need a plan ‘b’ but when he jumped well I just let him cross outside the leader and let them dictate at a nice tempo. I thought he was gone at the top of the straight but he really kicked into gear in the latter stages and he was too strong in the finish.

“I think he’s going to get further. I think he’ll get a mile next start. Might even get a bit further as he gets older. Probably a mile next start will probably be his go.”

Fell off the horse before coming down the race back to scale: “He threw me off. We were coming back to a cheering crowd of a few blokes and he didn’t like the look of them.”