DUBBO trainer James Sutton and his wife Jess got a welcome boost when their pacer Its Wellsaid beat nine rivals and survived a protest to take out the TAB.com.au Competitive Stakes (1660m) at Parkes on Sunday.
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The couple were thrilled with the response to a fundraiser held at the Dubbo Paceway nine days prior to support Jess’ battle with cancer, and they received another kick along at Parkes as Sutton steered the four-year-old to a solid win.
From barrier four Sutton showed aggression early to get Its Wellsaid ($8.80) to the lead but finding the front caused one of his rivals, Spanish Lustre ($3.70, Angela Hedges), to check and gallop for a few strides.
That horse regained its composure and settled third on the pegs while up front Its Wellsaid was joined by Our Mackalena ($5.00).
They went toe-to-to for the bulk of the trip before Its Wellsaid shot away at the top of the short Parkes home straight.
It was left to a late rush from Spanish Lustre, which was extricated from the pegs rounding the turn, to provide the main competition but in the end he could only get withing 3.8m of the winner.
Hedges lodged an objection in relation to the interference suffered in the opening stages of the race, however stewards ruled against her and awarded the race to Sutton’s gelding.