Perspiration has overcome a tardy start to score an upset win in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.
Sent out an $11 chance with betting apps in Saturday’s 1100m race for three-year-olds which was reduced to just five runners after scratchings, Perspiration was slowly away and a few lengths off his rivals in the early stages before settling at the back of the small field.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt was peeled to the outside by apprentice Zac Lloyd early in the home straight and he let down strongly to issue his challenge.
The $1.65 betting favourite Gatsby’s made his run along the inside at the same time and that pair drew away late to fight out the finish, with Perspiration edging out the favourite by a head.
The resuming Ikasara, a debut winner at Rosehill in April, was another 2-1/4-lengths away third.
“The plan was to ride him cold anyway, but probably not be five lengths off them after 50 metres,” Lloyd said.
“But he recovered well and he travelled nicely. I felt confident around the bend, he really travelled well and quickened sharply, and then probably the last 50 metres he was getting a bit tired.
“So there’s still plenty of improvement to come which is good.”
Perspiration was having his second start of this preparation after being unplaced first-up in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes on August 31 over the same course and distance.
Maher’s Sydney stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said Perspiration possessed a good turn of foot and he believes the soft conditions were in the colt’s favour on Saturday.
“His first-up run was good, he quickened well but just late, obviously, he was a bit soft,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“The track on that day was a bit firm and he does enjoy a bit of give in the ground.
“Zac rode him perfectly. That’s exactly what he needs, just to be patient and he can save that turn of foot.”
Gerard-Dubord said Perspiration’s Heritage win had opened up options for the rest of the campaign, whether that be in Sydney or interstate.
“I think it will be mostly guided by the tracks,” he said.
“He needs that give but as you can see he’s still fairly wintery. He can improve again and I think he’s a horse with a bit of a future.”