Apprentice Matthew Palmer grabbed some of the limelight from former Sydney rider Larry Cassidy when Gold Coast mare Satsang won the Listed J Cadell-Garrick Handicap at Eagle Farm.Satsang ($7), who was runner-up in the 1200-metre feature last year, nabbed Cassidy's mount Ugly Betty ($3.20 fav) in the last stride to score by a long head with Michelle Cafea ($21) a length away third.Cassidy looked set to notch up a treble on Ugly Betty in his first meeting since deciding to move to Queensland but P
Apprentice Matthew Palmer grabbed some of the limelight from former Sydney rider Larry Cassidy when Gold Coast mare Satsang won the Listed J Cadell-Garrick Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Satsang ($7), who was runner-up in the 1200-metre feature last year, nabbed Cassidy's mount Ugly Betty ($3.20 fav) in the last stride to score by a long head with Michelle Cafea ($21) a length away third.
Cassidy looked set to notch up a treble on Ugly Betty in his first meeting since deciding to move to Queensland but Palmer produced an inspired ride on Satsang who tracked the Sydney mare throughout the race.
Cassidy started the day by scoring on Funtantes in the opening race before Burdekin Blues gave him a winning double four races later.
"I was on the back of Ugly Betty when we were both back in the field but I knew I could win once we hit the straight," Palmer said.
Palmer, who promised connections he would win on Satsang as he was being legged up, is now only two wins away from outriding his apprentice's claim.
Satsang's trainer Helen Page praised Palmer's performance after the mare recorded her fourth win in 19 starts.
"She's been an unlucky mare and has had a lot of bad barriers," Page said.
"For this campaign I told her owners we should stick with one rider instead of changing after every race and this little fellow (Palmer) has been impressive on her."
Satsang's win broke a frustrating run of recent placings for the five-year-old daughter of Show A Heart.
She was runner-up for the third time in succession two starts back in the Listed Just Now Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm last month before finishing fifth last start to Espurante at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day on January 10.
Page also praised Queensland Racing Limited for staging a fillies and mares series which carry $100,000 in prizemoney during the summer months.
"She's been crying out for 1600 metres but I have to thank Queensland Racing for putting these fillies and mares races on," Page said.
"But these 1200-metre races are just too short for her."
Cassidy looked to have his third win for the day sewn up when Ugly Betty shot to the front over the final stages but she had no answer to Satsang's finishing burst.