KEY POINTS:
Trainer Mick Price narrowly missed scooping the three major races at Sandown on Saturday when Jukebox Johnny finished second to Zipping in the Group Two Sandown Classic.
While the Caulfield horseman lamented the 1 3/4-length defeat of the $31 rank outsider in the Classic, his luck turned in the next two races, winning the Sandown Guineas with Schilling and the Sandown Stakes with Gotta Have Heart.
Gotta Have Heart's win was particularly satisfying for Price, as the Show A Heart gelding was plagued with knee problems early in his career.
Price said the 4-year-old had arthroscopic surgery for bone chips last season and was only now realising his potential.
"He was immature and needed to be four," Price said.
"We tried him a couple of times and he just wasn't 100 per cent in his action so I kept stopping him and giving him the benefit of the doubt.
"This time in he's had a really good preparation and come through his grades."
Gotta Have Heart was a $200,000 Karaka yearling and is a full-brother to star New Zealand three-year-old filly Crossyourheart who has won five of her six starts including two at stakes level.
Gotta Have Heart won four races in a row, starting with a class one win at Kilmore in September, followed by victories at Colac, Seymour and Moonee Valley.
The winning streak came to an end last start when he finished third to Mr Baritone in the Sale Cup (1600m) on October 28.
- AAP
