HEARTONI looked destined for the spelling paddock after finishing fifth last start but a week at the farm did the trick.
“We put him on the water walker for four or five days,” trainer Stuart Kendrick said after the three-year-old won under lights at the Sunshine Coast on Friday (October 6).
“We were tossing up whether to spell him. We couldn’t hold him on the ground when we gave him a trot and canter, so we thought we’d back him up,” he said.
“It was good to see him get the win.”
Heartoni ($2.40-fav), ridden by apprentice Jasper Franklin, beat Shot Of Whiskey by a half-length in a Benchmark 60 (1000m).
“He’s a lovely little horse. He’s a tough little fellow,” said Kendrick.
“I actually trained his mother (Heartford) and that’s why I bought him. She was the same,” he said.
“She was only a pony, but really tough.”
Kendrick said it was a good ride by Franklin.
“It was a really smart ride. He followed Shot Of Whiskey and had the last crack,” he said.
“He’s a good young jock. He’s just getting his weight back down,” he said.
“He’s had two (rides) for me now and two winners, so I can’t complain.”