Thomas Stockdale produced a ride to remember, channelling the cool confidence of Mark Zahra as he guided Warnie to a career-defining win at Pakenham.
The Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed home to land the $1 million The Supernova (1400m) on Saturday, the second of Southside Racing’s high-profile slot races following The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne.
Warnie, well supported at $11, unleashed a powerful finishing burst down the middle of the track to reel in the $2.20 favourite Private Eye, scoring by a half-head, with Arkansaw Kid ($10) closing off for third.
Stockdale revealed he had done his homework on the galloper, studying how Mark Zahra had previously drawn out the horse’s best attributes.
“Every time Mark sat on his back, he was in a nice flowing rhythm, he was relaxed, conserving energy and he showed an electric turn of foot off it,” Stockdale said.
“I tried to channel my inner Zahra perch, nice hands, get him to relax, and he let rip.
“When you let rip like that, you are usually confident, but then the gallopers in front of you, you know they are not going to lie down easily, but he was trained to minute to come back in trip after a tough run over the mile.
“To have him so well and present him the way they did, it’s a huge credit to the team.”
Now based in Bunyip after starting his apprenticeship in Gippsland, Stockdale said the win was a personal milestone.
“It’s the biggest win of my career,” he said.
“I’ve won low level Group races, but it’s been nowhere as much prize money.
“It’s something special and has come at the right time.”
The victory capped a remarkable day for the Maher stable, who secured the first three races before Warnie delivered their fourth winner.
Warnie had impressed over 1400m at Flemington during Cup week before being stretched to 1600m for the Cranbourne Cup, where he finished fifth.
National assistant-trainer Jack Turnbull praised the stable’s effort to reset the horse for Saturday’s assignment.
“We had to change things up and we were mindful of how deep we are in the campaign in having to come back to the seven (furlongs),” Turnbull said.
“It’s a credit to the team. It’s very rewarding and it’s completed a huge day for the team.”
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