Jockey Josh Cartwright pilots eight year old Irish Lute (on the outside) to victory in the Bellellan Grampians Organic Maiden Plate. Picture: MICHELLE DE'LISLE
STAWELL - Irish Lute proved age was no barrier for a race horse at Stawell last Friday.
The eight year old scored his first win in 11 starts, taking out the 1300 metre Bellellen Grampians Organics Maiden Plate.
With Josh Cartwright onboard, Irish Lute moved from the back of the field and powered home to win by a head in front of race favourite Zaytsev.
The eight year old delighted owners Clint and Vanessa Marshall, who weren't expecting to win at Stawell.
"It is good. I was a bit nervous in the back straight when he got behind, but Josh rode him perfectly," Mrs Marshall said.
"I can't believe it."
It was a special moment for Mrs Marshall, with the horse belonging to her grandfather before he passed away.
Her husband Clint trains Irish Lute and it was his first win after obtaining his trainer's license.
Kyneton based brothers Brent and Nathan Stanley, found success with punter's elect Beach Front taking out the Eck's Electrics & Solar Handicap.
Ridden by Nathan and trained by Brent, Beach Front was sitting at the back of the field before sprinting home to edge out Tuscan Breeze and Champagne Esprit.
It was a close finish, with Beach Front getting home by half a length, while it was a dead heat for second.
"With the track speed she wanted to lay out early which was a bit of worry, but she got back and won," jockey Nathan Stanley said.
In his first race since a 22 week spell, Bungalally Boy led all the way to win the 1100 metre Schubert Catering Maiden Plate.
Jockey Holly McKechnie was impressed with Bungalally Boy's two and half length victory.
"His mid race tempo is very good and he's able to maintain it, so he could go further," she said.
Fits and Starts thrilled her owners with victory in the David O Jones Mitre 10 Handicap.
Sitting seventh rounding the home turn, jockey Nikita McLean was able to find a gap and pilot the mare home to win by 1.3 lengths.
Part owner, Faye Gordon (who also bred the horse) was there to witness Fits and Starts' first win since February last year.
"I saw her go through the crack and then I thought it was great," she said.
"She needed to go further, she'd been going too fast."
There was another close finish in the Wilky's Fencing & Sheds Handicap, with Simon Gebert-trained Big Brut holding off his nearest rivals to win.
Big Brut led the entire way before being challanged in the home straight, but he managed to sneak over the line and score by a short half head.