A fantastic charge with 500 metres to go saw the Jason Hewitt-driven Ryans Gangster power to a comfortable win at the Bathurst Paceway on Wednesday afternoon.
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Drawn at barrier eight, the Bernie Hewitt-trained gelding dropped to the back early on and settled for that position for the first lap in the opening race of the meeting, the Stu Valentine 4 Bloodstock Ins Pace (1730 metres).
But as they approached the steward's tower at the 500-metre mark, Hewitt drove the $2.50 chance up the field on the outside and he had the lead by the time they straightened up for home.
In the end it was a comfortable result for Ryans Gangster, claiming victory by 12.70 metres ahead of second.
Hewitt said he felt confident that the gelding had it in him, especially after the first quarter.
"I was pretty confident after I saw the first quarter," he said.
"They went up pretty hard up front early, which kind of made it for me at the back, to finish off nice and strong.
"Over a mile this week, I was pretty confident he would come home quite well.
"He's going well but I'm probably driving a bit better as well. He's learning to race, definitely maturing and getting fitter. I think he's got a bit of a future ahead of him."
Wednesday's success brought up the gelding's third win from 13 starts and his first since a win at Bathurst on September 8.
His maiden victory came back in December at Goulburn just before Christmas.
For now, Hewitt said the gelding will be observed week by week, before any major decisions are made about his future.
"We'll take it week by week," he said.
"He's not really played up for anything, eligible for anything. He'll just race week by week and we'll see what happens after that."
Bernie Hewitt claimed a training trifecta, with Beta Jewell (which he drove) in second and Ulaanbaatar in third, driven by Amanda Turnbull.
Michael Muscat also shocked the field in the fifth race of the meeting, driving the $101 chance Magnifico To Watch to victory.
It was the horse's 11th career win.
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