The Superhorse syndicate had a weekend to remember as Angel Of Truth's win in the $2 million Australian Derby was followed by Superium's victory in the $150,000 Wellington Boot on Sunday.
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The prizemoney in the Boot might pale in comparison to Saturday's Group 1 Derby but the small team representing trainer Joseph Pride at Wellington on Sunday were thrilled with the win.
It was a special win for jockey Chad Lever too, his first ride in the 1100m two-year-old feature proving one to remember.
Lever sat midfield for much of the journey and while Superium didn't come down the famed hill at Wellington all too smoothly, once he got clear in the home straight the result was never in doubt.
"Joe had him primed today and we had the right run and he was too strong," Lever said after winning in front of a huge Wellington crowd.
"I felt really good throughout. I had a nice trip and just before the corner I was a little wary, he put in a couple of ordinary strides in but that was probably just coming down the hill.
"But once he got in the straight and balanced out he powered over the line."
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Superium, from the Warwick Farm stables of Pride, came to Wellington having won on debut at Bathurst on March 17.
Lever was in the saddle that day and took plenty of confidence out of the run as the Varrazano X Rosie's Halo gelding won ahead of plenty of older horses.
That performance also meant Superium was popular with punters and he jumped a $1.95 favourite in the $150,000 race.
Lever got away well from barrier four and settled towards the front on the rails while Galaxy ($51), Cassy's Sister ($5) and the Brett Thompson-trained Deviate ($11) all jostled for the lead.
He's definitely got a bit of class about him.
- Chad Lever on Superium
The latter two led the field into the bend for home while Superium dropped back ever so slightly after the "couple of ordinary strides".
Cassy's Sister and Deviate moved clear of the pack but Lever soon found a clear run in the middle of the track and took it, surging forward.
Superium's pace was too much and he went on to win by half-a-length, with the Stephen Jones-trained Cassy's Sister second and Gulgong galloper Deviate third.
"He's a nice horse. When I rode him last at Bathurst it was a a maiden but he beat some older horses and did it well," Lever said.
"It's the first time I've ridden in the Boot so I'm happy to take it home."
Lever added Superium will be one to watch in the future, with the Boot often given a fine indication of talent.
"He's only a two-year-old and he'll probably be better once he gets that little further out in trip but he's definitely got a bit of class about him," Lever added.
Superium was the only horse Pride and his team had in at Wellington on Sunday.
The win was Lever's only success of the day in yet another meeting dominated by Greg Ryan.
The champion jockey missed out in the Boot and Wellington Cup feature events but still finished the day with four winners.
He took out the first three races of the day before riding Gayna Williams' El Mo to victory in the final event of the meeting, the $50,000 Wellington Town Plate.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
