Cranbourne trainer Colin Davies was delighted when his favourite horse Stanzout won Wednesday's Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool thanks to a brilliant ground-saving ride by Danny Brereton.The grey, who was Group One-placed in the 2007 Patinack Farm Classic, the 2008 Lightning Stakes and the Australia Stakes, was topweight with 57kg for the first running of the 1200m Wangoom as a Listed race after Gran Sasso (58kg) was scratched.The field raced tightly well out from the inside rail on the heavy tr
Cranbourne trainer Colin Davies was delighted when his favourite horse Stanzout won Wednesday's Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool thanks to a brilliant ground-saving ride by Danny Brereton.
The grey, who was Group One-placed in the 2007 Patinack Farm Classic, the 2008 Lightning Stakes and the Australia Stakes, was topweight with 57kg for the first running of the 1200m Wangoom as a Listed race after Gran Sasso (58kg) was scratched.
The field raced tightly well out from the inside rail on the heavy track, but Brereton cut the corner on Stanzout on the home turn to go out after the leader Eight Bills.
Stanzout raced well clear before holding off the fast-finishing Bocuse, who was also runner-up in the race year when narrowly beaten by Arch Symbol, by a half-neck.
Tasmanian mare I'm A Hussy ($4.20 fav) was 2-1/4 lengths away third with Arch Symbol ($13) fourth.
"I love this horse, he's my favourite. I'm so pleased it's all worked out," Davies said.
"It would be good if you have enough horses and win that car (the trainers' bonus) but this will do.
"It's been a lot of hard work with this horse. He did have his problems over the years and to get him back firing again is great and Danny rides him so well. I'm rapt."
Davies revealed that when Stanzout had an equine influenza vaccination in 2007 he suffered a lung infection.
"It stayed dormant in his lung and it was about 12 months before the vets found it," Davies said.
"He used to have trouble breathing, plus he had a broken wither as a three-year-old and he's had joint trouble so he hasn't had it easy but he's paying his way, there's no doubt about that.
"I said if he wins today I could sneak him up to Queensland for a race or two but I don't want to be too hard on him.
"He's getting a bit old now so I might look after him and bring him back for the spring."
The seven-year-old, by unfashionable stallion Gallo Di Ferro, has raced 35 times for eight wins and eight placings for just under $600,000 in prizemoney.
His best win was in the 2007 Group Two Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.