Thursday, August 21
Fine Embers became the Dan O'Sullivan stables' first winner of the new season with a last-gasp victory at Seymour on Thursday.
The lightly-raced four-year-old claimed his second win at start number six by taking out the Talwood Park Aqua Walker Showcase BM64 Handicap (2015m).
Luke Nolen gave the horse a gem of a ride, pressing forward to sit on the fence behind the leader for much of the trip. Nolen then found a gap down the home straight and drove Fine Embers through to grab Nigel Blackiston-trained Different Drummer on the wire.
"That's where they pay them – right on the post," Nolen said.
"He travelled quite boldly throughout the race, and when the leader skipped away from me, he lost his position a bit, but there was always room there for a run and he burst through late.
"All in all, it was a pretty good effort."
Fine Embers' trainer Dan O'Sullivan said he was pleased the horse had broken through and begun to show his true potential after a couple of unlucky down-the-track finishes this preparation at Sandown and Caulfield.
O'Sullivan is yet to decide on a upcoming target for the son of Mount Nelson, whose rating has climbed to 65 as a result of the victory.
The stable extends its congratulations to the Monish family on the success.