Soxagon prevails in dramatic BRC Sprint finish
There were concerns about his fitness, but Soxagon put those fears to bed with his courageous victory in the $250,000 BRC Sprint (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
The six-year-old gelding won by a nose on the line, edging out the re-invigorated Alligator Blood for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
2022 BRC Sprint Replay
“He’s as tough as old boots, isn’t he?” winning jockey Brad Stewart told Sky Racing.
“They were with me and it was a dogfight all the way up the straight. I actually wasn’t sure if I won it.
“If he ran third I wouldn’t have been surprised – it was heads up and heads down, and thankfully his was down.
“There was a bit of brushing going on – we were pretty tight. But full credit to the horse – he’s in good form at the moment.
“He was challenged all the way up the straight and he kept coming up with the goods.”
Although Soxagon won the $130,000 Australian Turf Club Trophy (1200m) by three lengths at Gold Coast Turf Club on May 7, trainer Mark Currie said he had concerns about the fitness of his sprinter.
Those concerns have dissipated – Soxagon now has over $1 million in prizemoney to his name, and looks set to contest the Stradbroke Handicap on June 11.
“He was a bit concerned about that (fitness), although he won well on the day (last start on the Gold Coast). Today I was able to ride him a bit further back, which I think he likes,” Stewart said.
“I think he’s heading to the Stradbroke now – I don’t think he’ll get my weight.
“But I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well.”