Sir Now sprints
away in Wylie
Sprinter Sir Now raced away down the Morphettville straight to win the Sportsbet W H Wylie Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.
The five-year-old gelding looked the winner with just under 400m to go, but had to kick again to deny interstate raider Signature Scent for jockey Connor Murtagh.
Trainer Darryl Hewitt was positive the son of Sir Prancealot would fire and has now won 11 races in 28 starts.
“I was actually more confident today, he’s run all right on firm tracks before, I thought, if he’s a fast horse on a firm track it’s going to take a bit to catch him,” Hewitt said.
Julie Preston, Josh Grantham-Lines, Darryl Hewitt and Connor Murtagh celebrate Saturday’s win. Picture: Makoto Kaneko
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Murtagh, who rode two winners on Saturday’s nine-race card, praised another lion-hearted performance.
“He was his usual tough self,” Murtagh said.
“A lot of experts wrote him off for this race today, and I’m glad he proved them all wrong.
“He’s come back after that tough win last start and he’s really stuck his neck out again.
“He loves competing, he’s not happy unless he’s scrapping with something – unfortunately, it’s usually me, Josh and Darryl.
“Raceday, we get a breather and he takes on the horses. I’m just very lucky to be the fella that does the steering.”
Murtagh guided home Mellifluent in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1514m), outlasting You Sexy Thing in a thrilling finish.
Murtagh shared riding honours with Harry Grace and Jordyn Weatherley, who also rode winning doubles on Saturday.
Grace led home Boyd in the opening event, the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1050m), then followed up with victory aboard Retourne in the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (2525m).
Apprentice Weatherley claimed top honours on Fill A Promise in the M&J Chickens Handicap (1050m), then led Talisay to victory in the Sydney McDonald Memorial Handicap (1800m) for a first metropolitan double.
