Prior to Thursday's Wellington Solders Memorial Club Class 1 Handicap (1400m) there was only one concern for Michael Lunn had for Witness Collector.
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His gutsy three-year-old colt had shown promise when winning last start at Narromine but the extreme outside gate at Wellington was an issue.
But Lunn need not to worry as Adrian Layt got Witness Collector to spear across from gate 11 and take the early lead along the rails.
That was where he stayed as well, showing great fight in the straight to get the job done.
"I've got a bit of an opinion of the horse," Lunn told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"I reckon he';s a tough little horse and he's tough to get past. Horses get to him but he keeps finding something.
"If he'd drawn a [inside] gate I'd have put my house on him."
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The gate proved no issue as Layt quickly got Witness Collector ($10) to the lead ahead of the much-fancied Supergaze ($1.80 favourite).
The Clint Lundholm-trained Poetic Harmony ($9) worked forward on the outside of the leader and got a head in front at one point before Witness Collector kicked again.
He got out to a lead of almost two lengths as he went down the hill and towards home.
Supergaze and Feverish ($9.50) led the chase but it soon became clear they didn't have the motor to chase down the leader.
Witness Collector fought and late and while Snipselva ($26) produced an almighty final 200m it was not enough.
Witness Collector hung on to win by almost half a length from Snipselva in a Lunn quinella while Supergaze was third.
Snipselva is trained by Michael's brother, Dar.
"He's just a tough horse," the winning trainer emphasised after the victory.
Witness Collector now has three wins and three placings from 12 career starts.