Racing: Darley reject proves to be handy

Kerrin McEvoy. Photo / Getty Images

A horse no longer considered good enough for the huge Darley operation has fitted in well to John Hubbard's Wyong stable.

Brabant won the stamina test in yesterday's Gold Coast International Hotel Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill when he came with a late run to outstay Daad's Overtime by a half-neck.

The 4-year-old Strategic gelding is out of Antwerp, making him a half-brother to Group One winner Viscount who stands at stud in Western Australia.

"He was a Darley reject and I didn't pay a lot for him," Hubbard said.

"He's no star but he's a handy horse and he had no luck last start so this is good."

Brabant finished seventh of 11, beaten just two lengths last time out over 1900 metres at Canterbury.

Darley jockey Kerrin McEvoy stuck with Brabant.

"Kerrin does a bit of riding for me when he can," Hubbard said. "It's an advantage to have him on for sure and he was the one who recommended I buy this horse."

Brabant was sent out at $26 with expensive stallion prospect Seventh Reason the $3.20 favourite.

Hugh Bowman took Seventh Reason to the lead early in the race but he was found wanting when it counted in the straight and was swamped in the run home, finishing ninth.

Girl Hussler's win in the $250,000 Jackpot Big6 (1400m) had trainer David Payne looking to the winter.

Payne instructed apprentice Brenton Avdulla to follow the $1.85 favourite Tromso and the ploy worked.

Girl Hussler ($6.50) came off Tromso's back in the straight and finished best in the surge to the line to beat Aultone ($10) by a long neck.

Race leader Counterpane ($4.60) was another short half-head away third.

"She is a very, very good filly and I'm looking to give her a break now and head to Brisbane in the winter with her," Payne said.

The stocks of first-season sire Snitzel continue to rise with One More Grand adding his name to the metropolitan winners' list at Rosehill.

Trained by Neville Layt at Queanbeyan, One More Grand came to town after a 5 length win on his home track on December 17.

It was the fourth Sydney city win for Snitzel's progeny after Chance Bye took out the A$250,000 Inglis Nursery and Intertidal won two races in October.

Tommy Berry jumped One More Grand (A$10) straight to the front in the Golden Slipper Festival On Sale Hcp (1100m) and kicked away after being briefly challenged by $3.50 favourite Rock My Heart to win by 3 lengths.

The Chris Waller-trained Much Much More ($5) finished three-quarters of a length from Rock My Heart in third place with the field strung out as heavy rain fell during the race.

Pinwheel continued his great form when he produced a resounding frontrunning performance to give him a hat-trick of victories.

The Peter Snowden-trained Pinwheel started the A$1.60 favourite in the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap (1200m) and dictated terms with McEvoy aboard.

Pinwheel toyed with his opposition, going on to defeat Gangitano ($12) by 4 lengths with Malambo ($10) three-quarters of a length away third.

- AAP