KEY POINTS:
Country-trained mare Like It Is is not one to avoid a fight when it comes to winning a race but it almost cost her the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
Ridden by former New Zealand jockey Greg Childs, Like It Is scored by a short head but
had to survive a protest from Craig Newitt on the second horse, Shinzig, to retain the group three feature.
Newitt argued that Shinzig was bumped off his stride in the dying stages of the 1800m race when Like It Is veered out abruptly, while Shinzig's trainer Mick Price described the contact as a "hip and shoulder" to his horse.
Childs countered that the interference was only two strides from the post and didn't affect the result.
Racing Victoria stewards agreed with Childs and dismissed the protest, much to the relief of Ballarat trainer Darren Weir who has had a frustrating spring.
"It's been a tough spring for the stable because we haven't had much luck, but I'm happy with this," Weir said.
Like It Is has been a terrific mare for Weir, winning 10 of her 24 starts, but the race he wanted to win with her was the group one Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
"That was the race she was set for for the campaign but she went terrible," Weir said.
"She pulled up lame in a back leg that day so that was probably a reason for why she went so badly."
Weir was able to get Like It Is going again and last week she only had victory snatched away from her in the last few strides when Zip Baby Zip beat her by a neck in the Listed Summoned Stakes (1500m).
Weir said the Eclipse was her last chance to win a race this campaign and last week's run convinced him that she was up to the assignment.
"When she gets into form she holds it and she has a good racing style up on the pace," Weir said.
After being posted three-wide in the back straight Childs went forward on Like It Is to be outside the leader Hidden Strings before making the run to the home turn.
Hidden Strings kicked away early in the straight but Childs was patient, and balanced up Like It Is to make her winning run.
The two mares were locked in a battle over the last 200 metres before Shinzig joined the challenge.
"We had no favours being out wide early but she toughed it right out," Childs said.
Weir said Like It Is was usually strong in a finish and didn't like getting beaten.
"When she gets in those fighting finishes she seems to like it."
Like It Is is the seventh mare in the last 13 years to win the Eclipse, joining Broann (1995), Gold City (1996), Burning Embers (1997), Tickle My (2000), Damaschino (2002) and Aqua D'Amore (2005).
Childs, who escaped serious injury when Bling Bling crashed in the home straight when caught behind the fatally-injured English galloper Bay Story at Flemington in the 2800-metre handicap on Melbourne Cup Day, has enjoyed past Eclipse Stakes success on Fields Of Omagh (2001) and Requisite (2004).
Hidden Strings last start won the group two Hilton International Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and held on bravely on Saturday to finish a half-length away third.
Eclipse Stakes disappointments were The Wolverine, who finished ninth of the 10 runners, and last year's winner Utility who finished last.
- AAP