Patronize gelding Superior Smile caused a mini boilover at Pinjarra’s standalone metropolitan meeting on Saturday when upstaging more-fancied rivals in the The Sandbar Scarborough Beach Handicap (2000m).
Starting on the eighth line of betting at $18 in a 10-horse field, the five-year-old settled outside of the leader for rider Peter Hall before getting the better of his rival approaching the home turn.
The big chestnut hit the lead upon straightening and was challenged strongly over the final 200m, however, he fought on bravely to defeat Dark Musket ($14) by a nose.
Progressive stayer British Bessy ($4.20) finished a further nose away in third place, with drifting favourite Not To Be Mist ($2.50) one-and-a-half lengths away in fourth.
Superior Smile was having his fifth start for his campaign after producing consistent performances to finish in the top five placings at each of his previous outings this time in and was stepping out to a staying distance for only the second time in his 35-start career.
He has now accumulated seven wins, 12 minor placings and total earnings of $220,915 including bonuses.
The gelding’s exciting stablemate Essential Spice is scheduled to race third-up from a spell at Ascot this Saturday.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]