Spritely seven year-old gelding Sirius Suspect claimed his second Black Type win at Flemington on Saturday taking out the Listed VRC Santa Ana Lane Final (1200m).
Winner of the Group III VRC Standish Handicap up the straight in January 2021, Sirius Suspect had been winless since then, albeit running some nice races and was probably long overdue for a turn back in the winner’s circle.
The Saab Hassan trained gelding blitzed his rivals running near the fence and held a good margin over the outside runners at the finish to win by a length under Ethan Brown.
"He hasn't been running bad - he's been flying, he's probably never been going better - he's just been a little bit unlucky. He's been getting on tracks throughout the winter that haven't suited him and this is probably the first race that he's tackled that has been 110 percent suitable,” said Saab Hassan.
"He had that little hoof abscess during the week, I'll pull his shoes off tonight even before I bring him home, wrap his feet up and I'll sit down with (owners) ATB and we'll see whether we roll the dice again or whether we got to the paddock, but more importantly we'll let Sirius tell us what he wants to do."
Bred and retained to race by his breeder Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Sirius Suspect has the overall record of nine wins and 11 placings from 38 starts and prizemoney topping $737,000.
He is the best of four winners from winning Galileo mare Sirius Miss, who died last year and came from the family of Group I winner Vega One.
Sirius Suspect is one of five stakes-winners for Clear Mountain Fairview’s Group I Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted who stands at a fee of $5,500.
He is bred on the amazingly successful Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick that has delivered outstanding success in both hemispheres.
