FEW could doubt the class of talented sprinter New Recruit but in Hobart last week the Mick Stronger-trained dog stepped up a level to win an invitation over 461 metres.
New Recruit was only fairly away from box seven while the well-backed Katsidis (4) began like a shot to find the lead with speedster Lika Whisper in hot pursuit out wide.
When the field hit the home turn New Recruit was still a half-dozen lengths off the leader with a place looking the best outcome.
But the son of Paddy’s Flame weaved through the pack and when he got to the outside of the leaders he slipped into overdrive and grabbed victory in the shadows of the post.
He scored by a narrow margin over November Digger and Katsidis.
The win took New Recruit’s record to 17 victories from 30 starts with a half-dozen minor placings bumping his stake earnings total to almost $35,000.