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It's a pretty simple saying and it's one Pete Stanley is sticking by when it comes to The Long Run.
The veteran trainer had been thinking of tipping his five-year-old mare out for a spell but after victory in Friday's Dubbo Chamber Rhino Cup (1610m) it won't be the case.
One of three features on the card at Dubbo Turf Club, the Rhino Cup attracted a handy field of 10 but The Long Run took the lead at the top of the straight and went on to win by one-and-a-half lengths.
"I was going to put her out for a break but I'll see how she pulls up," Stanley said after the win.
"She's not hard to train, that's the problem. Horses like her, it's hard to say whether you want to turn them out or keep them going but if they keep striking form don't send them to the paddock.
"Don't send mares to the paddock while they're in form. If you do that you bring yourself undone."
Formerly of Bathurst, Stanley now trains out of Wellington and that was where The Long Run had her last start.
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She ran sixth over 1400m that day but Stanley stepped her up in distance on Friday and it worked a treat.
Any Blinkin Day ($21) and Grass Cutter ($81) went hammer and tongs early and went stride-for-stride more than eight lengths clear of the rest of the field at one point.
The Long Run led the chase and got to the frontrunners while turning for home.
Apprentice hoop Ashleigh Stanley, daughter of the winning trainer, got to work along the rails and once she got to the lead there was never any real danger.
The Cody Morgan-trained Rubble ($6) threatened briefly but soon faded as A Magic Zariz ($5.50) and A Martin Placepick ($7.50) ran home for second and third.
It was a welcome change of fortunes for Stanley after seeing A Martin Placepick claim victory last time out at Wellington.
"I was confident coming into the race today and it was a pretty good field," Stanley said.
"It's an up-and-coming field and she put pay to them, which was good."
The Long Run now has eight wins from 24 starts.
The mare originally started with Wanda Ings but after just two trials made the move to Stanley's stables and debuted in October of 2018.
"Tough as nails, she is. She's a lovely old mare," Stanley said.
"She hit a bit of a flat spot but I eased up on her, gave her a couple of shorter runs.
"This is the first time she's been over the mile and I always thought she'd run the mile and she proved that today."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
