Riva De Lago has scored a long overdue win at Scone in the $120,000 Yarraman Park Horsepower Open Handicap with a trip to Queensland now beckoning the Con Karakatsanis-trained galloper.
Riva De Lago had shown some return to form last start when finishing fifth in the Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick behind the Joseph Pride-trained Tiger Tees.
Opening as favourite for the Yarraman Park Horsepower Open Handicap (1300m), Riva De Lago was surpassed in betting by the Brett Partelle-trained Torio's Quest.
Riva De Lago didn't let the favourite out of his sights sitting midfield in the run as the Peter Snowden-trained Screen set the tempo.
The Con Karakatsanis-trained four-year-old received an ideal trail into the straight courtesy of Torio's Quest and waited until inside the 100m before pouncing on the lead.
It was a most encouraging win by the gelding who may have now booked himself a trip to Queensland for the Winter Carnival.
“The horse has pleased us,” Stable Foreman Bruce Johnson said.
“Everything pointed to him running terrific today.
“He has been terrific this past fortnight, we couldn't have been happier with his work on Tuesday.”
Johnson was highly complimentary of Brenton Avdulla's ride aboard the promising type who had found himself shuffled to the rear of the field in two of his past three outings where he struggled in making up ground.
“He rode him perfect today,” Johnson said.
“He got cover, had the last crack at them and that is how he has got to be ridden.”
Riva De Lago's success at Scone this afternoon was his fourth career victory in 14 starts.
The Encosta De Lago gelding's prizemoney earnings are now closing in on $200,000.
The first day of the Scone Cup to date has seen a number of promising types showcase their ability with some eye catching wins.
Tim Martin-trained Love Excels romped to a three and three quarter length success in the $50,000 Northern Meteor Maiden Plate (1600m) while Robert Northam's filly Tinszelda maintained her unbeaten record by taking out the $100,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100m).
“It was super,” Northam said of Tinszelda's win.
“She has got a great kick.
“She did everything right and she delivered. It was the first time she has drawn an alley. She has been sitting three and four deep in her first two [starts].
“There is a Listed race for fillies up at Eagle Farm in three weeks. If she pulls up well we might aim for that and try and get some black type into her.”
