Satellite Winner goes back-to-back
  Story By Michael Lee     

Sunday, 21 January 2018: Local trainer John O’Hara kept up his solid start to the new season after he produced a fifth winner on Friday night, Satellite Winner, to stay right on top of the log.

Satellite Winner winning the CLASS 4 PREMIER
Satellite Winner winning the CLASS 4 PREMIER


Satellite Winner was the horse who actually got the ball rolling for O’Hara on New Year’s Day, a clear sign the yard is showing great consistency at the moment.



The four-year-old by Not A Single Doubt certainly reproduced the same winning form to go back-to-back in the $60,000 Class 4 Premier race over 1200m.

Taking the drop on the early pacesetters, Satellite Winner  (Craig Grylls, $25) stalked up the speed in fifth spot in the small nine-horse field before peeling off behind heels to launch his challenge on the outside once the field straightened up for the judge.



His rivals had no answer to his turn of foot, except for Preferred (Olivier Placais) who tried to outbattle him on the inside, but to no avail. O’Hara’s ward comfortably held him off by half-a-length with Red Claw (Ryan Curatolo) third another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 12.71secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.

Favourite Master Of Malibu (Barend Vorster) tried to make all but capitulated at the 300m to weaken to a disappointing sixth place.

“Things are going well for us, but we have to keep working hard,” said O’Hara.



“From the way this horse won in an Open Maiden race at his last start, I thought he had the ability to win in open company.



“He was caught wide early and had to come back to settle behind the speed. He scored a very gutsy win in the end.



“He’s a nice sort, but still learning his trade. We’ll just take him through his grades.”



Grylls was full of praise for the World Cup Stable-owned galloper who was bringing up a second win in only four starts.



“I’ve done a bit of work with him since his last win and he’s taken the step-up in class and distance pretty well,” said the Kiwi jockey.



“He was in a great spot behind the speed in a one-off spot and once he got the split through, he did his own thing and was too good.



“He’s got a very good action and he’s a horse who will keep improving.”






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