The four-in-a-row was thought to be one bridge too far by most for Great Sun, but the gallant sprinter gave another sample of his untapped potential to take out the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1000m on Friday night.
All four wins have now come in the 1000m speed dash for the Lucky Owners four-year-old, with his only other win recorded over 1400m earlier in the year, a proof he is no one-trick pony for his trainer Michael Freedman.
There was a line of thought that his last-start runner-up Sebas might have the wood on him this time with a two-kilo pull in weights, hence the short $9 quote for the Theo Kieser speed squib, but it wasn't to be.
Even connections held some concerns whether Great Sun could maintain his winning streak this time, but he quickly quashed them by doing so with flying colours. It was above all the way he came from a mid-division berth to sweep past Sebas (Alan Munro) with ease in the home straight before pulling away to a 1 ½ length win that had jockey Corey Brown and assistant-trainer James Peters gushing about him.
“This horse just keeps improving. We thought if things go his way and he gets cover, we didn’t see any reason why he couldn’t win again,” said Peters who was filling in for Freedman who was unwell.
“The pace was strong, even stronger than at his last race and they ran pretty quick time. He’s done a good job again tonight.”
Sebas had no excuse with a hassle-free run at the head of affairs in the small six-horse fiueld, even looking like he could kick clear any time Munro releases the handbrakes, but Brown never lost sight of his No 1 danger as he brought Great Sun with a well-timed run down the middle of the Polytrack.
The Australian jockey said he had slightly underestimated his mount whom he thought had found his mark and was also a question mark with his history of breathing issues, but was delighted he was proven wrong as he notched a riding double after Vanderbilt for his 68th win of the season.
“This horse has really improved. Tonight they went quick and as he’s had breathing problems, the less you touch the bridle the better it is,” said Brown.
“To his credit, he finished very well tonight as I thought he was at the top of his grade, but he impressed me.”
With that fith success along with four placings form 12 starts, Great Sun is proving to be a handy moneyspinner with close to $240,000 already in the bank for the Lucky Unicorn Stable.
