New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate Flash Feeling bounced back from a disappointing effort at his most recent start when he produced a determined finish to take out the John Duff & Co Benchmark 78 (2000m) at Pakenham.
The four-year-old Iffraaj entire had run ninth in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield last Saturday, holding his ground behind Milford when beaten under four lengths.
That left trainer John Sadler and jockey Matthew Cartwright scratching their heads, but seven days later the pair were celebrating success on Pakenham Cup day.
“He was a little bit disappointing I thought the other day actually, he wasn’t at his best I don’t think,” Sadler said, referring to his Eclipse loss.
Sadler decided to give Flash Feeling ($4.80) his fifth run this campaign a week later in Saturday’s A$130,000 John Duff & Co BM78 Handicap (2000m) at Pakenham where he prevailed by a long head over Matron Bullwinkel ($3.90).
“He came through the run (in the Eclipse) extremely well and showed me no signs at all why he shouldn’t back up,” Sadler said.
“He’s a four-year-old stallion and never left an oat; strong and tough – that was a tough race that and he really toughed it out well.”
Cartwright has been aboard Flash Feeling in each of his four wins, including last month’s victory over 2000m when securing his first victory during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“I think the back-up suited him and up to 2000m he travelled lovely for me then quickened up well,” Cartwright said.
“He can be quirky, he can get a little bit keen at times, but he travelled lovely for me today. I just had to bite the bullet and just wait, I had to pop out and cruise into it without getting to the top of him.
“He hit the front a long way out but credit to John (Sadler), a great training performance to get this horse back into form.”
By the three-race winner Shanzam, Flash Feeling was a $160,000 purchase by Dean Hawthorne out of the Prima Park draft during the 2020 edition of the Ready To Run Sale at Karaka.
He comes from an extended family that includes Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner Shanzero and Group One placegetter She’s Ideel.
