Race experience and sustained speed was the winning formula for Claro El Banco in the $200,000 Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic at Ballarat.
The Jason Petch trained youngster had failed to beat a runner home when beaten nearly 8.5L on debut in the Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington but was a different horse ridden from the front on Saturday.
Jockey Craig Newitt committed to the lead early on in the 1000 metre dash and Claro El Banco ($15) had opened up a hefty lead in the middle stages.
The Statue Of Liberty gelding showed he had plenty of fight as he easily repelled the challengers in the straight for a solid length-and-a-quarter victory.
Gai Waterhouse debutante Preferito ($3.30) worked to the line for second, a nose in front of fellow first-starter She’s Positive ($5).
Petch will give the gelding a two-week break before setting him for the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast.
“We’ve got a free ticket to go there - why not? It’s worth a lot of money - I need it,” Petch said.
He said Claro El Banco got lost when back in the field on debut so going to the first was an essential tactic on Saturday.
“I said to ‘Froggy’ (Newitt) that you’ve just got to jump and lead - he runs on fear,” Petch said.
“What a magnificent win. He’s had to use him up to the first corner - there he is three (lengths) in front and never shirked the task.”
