Alison Smith's Arctic Warrior led from the front in the Wellington Soldier's Saddle Memorial Cup CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap on Monday to claim victory.
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The four-year-old gelding was ridden nearly perfectly by apprentice rider Rebeka Prest in the $22,000 feature, swapping the lead with Justin W Stanley's Incision before holding in the final sprint of the 1100m race.
Smith said she was "so proud" of the gelding for claiming its first win after two third and two fourths.
"He's been so honest since I've had him, he rarely runs a bad race, he's one of those horses even at home if he's not head to head he drops a bit and it's taken him a long time to learn racing," she said.
She also backed Prest's work in the saddle of Arctic Warrior, who Smith said was undoubtbly a sprinter.
"She's had three rides for three wins now, two in the picnics and now in the professional leagues, she rides really well," Smith said.
Actic Warrior claimed the win ahead of Buddy Honest and Demonize.
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
