Enver Jusufovic’s connection with Flemington goes back to when he was a paperboy so it was fitting the revered track was the scene for his greatest moment in racing, which came via a winning double on Saturday.
The popular horseman prepared Vongole to score a blowout win in the $150,000 3AW Sprint (1100m) and 40 minutes later saw stable star Pinstriped win the $150,000 Winter Championship Trophy (1600m).
Jusufovic trains out of Cranbourne, but grew up close to Flemington and took great satisfaction out of his running double.
“I’m born and bred in Footscray here, so not too far away, and as a kid sold Heralds up there on the hill,” Jusufovic said.
“So, to be here today and train a double, it’s surreal.”
Pinstriped made it back-to-back wins, having not started since his win in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Mile at Sandown on April 15, when he swept to a two-length win over Beehunter ($31), who edged out Riddle Me That ($13) for second.
They are Pinstriped’s only wins since making it three from three to start his career in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes in February last year.
“I’ve had to turn things around with this horse and build him right up and just make him that little bit more comfortable with raceday procedures,” Jusufovic said.
“He’s just in a good space at the moment and I think we’ll see a nice horse in the spring.”
While Pinstriped was the $2.80 favourite, Vongole was sent out a $51 chance in his event and proved strongest at the finish, scoring by half-a-length from $3.10 favourite Renosu, who got second on protest over Fasuto ($11).
Jusufovic, who is the majority shareholder in Vongole, said it was special that those two horses provided him with his Flemington milestone.
“Vongole goes everywhere he (Pinstriped) goes, whether Vongole is nominated to race or not,” he said.
“He just seems to be a very good companion for him and, owning 70 percent of Vongole, I can do whatever I want with him.”
Pinstriped and Vongole were both ridden to victory by Ben Allen.