Tash Faithfull kept an outstanding run of country cups going when producing a dashing ride to salute with Memory Parade in the Listed $150,000 Northam Cup (1600m).
Faithfull was left marooned out three wide without cover on the $16 shot but surged the six-year-old forward with 600m to strike the front.
Upon entering the straight, the War Chant mare bounded into a two-length lead while stablemate and danger Aberdeen Flyer ($2.25f) wanted to lay in and took a long time to organise his challenge.
Meanwhile, under Faithfull’s vigour, the bay kept up the momentum and stunned in a one-and-three-quarter-length triumph.
It was the latest success in a whirlwind year for the travelling hoop, having already won Geraldton and Kalgoorlie cups with Royal Law.
“There wasn’t a lot of speed in the race, and I sort of thought that, on paper,” Faithfull said.
“They walked. I had a bit of cover early. Then when the speed really slackened, she just got too strong.
“I’ve never watched as many replays of a horse as I did this morning. And I’ve obviously never ridden her, but I felt like I knew her inside out, and I knew that she was a momentum horse.
“Any chance she had of getting away from Royal Toronado was to get on her bike, get her in a good rhythm, and give him something to catch. And that we did.”
However, Faithfull even conceded she was surprised by Memory’s Parade acceleration.
“Just watching her replays, she looked like she was a bit of a grinder,” she said
“But when I popped out and she loomed up, gee, she gave me such a good feel.
“She actually really let down with a great turn of foot.
“So, oh, I was really impressed with her.”
Sean and Jake Casey, who also trained the runner-up, continued a fabulous weekend after taking Saturday’s Belgravia Stakes with Beatty.
“I thought she could run a good race and the other bloke, I thought he was the better chance of the two,” Jake Casey said.
“But in saying that, she’s been racing in some handy enough races and always been unlucky in them all, as well.
“She just always seems to go better in these higher pressure races and she’s deserves it.”
It was especially rewarding for the camp with the win for longtime stable clients, the Durran family.
“Once they slackened the speed a little bit on the corner, the mare wanted to get going and Tash just went with her,” Casey said.
“She won easy.
“Big thanks to Mr and Mrs Durran. We’ve always had a few horses for them in our stable and this is our biggest win for them, so it’s very good.”