INJURY-prone galloper World Beater showed shades of his former glory days with a determined win in the 1400 metre Class 2 Handicap at The TOTE Racing Centre on Thursday night.
World Beater, trained by Max Wood and ridden by returning jockey Justin Hamer, dug deep as he battled to the line to edge out Vegas Royale by a half head to record his first victory in over two years.
It was Woods first winner since Corindhap dead-heated with Whispering Warrior on Hobart Cup day in 2005.
“He was given to me by his previous trainer George Blacker about a year ago and I really didn’t know much about the horse. I was after another one and I ended up with him” Wood said.
World Beater had a stellar start to his racing career, winning on debut at Launceston and placing in his next five starts before his leg problems begun.
“He had a lot of problems with his legs by the time I got him.”
“I have been patient with him. I haven’t worked him too hard and kept him to a lot of beach work” he said.
Depending how he recovers, Wood will look to contest another Launceston night meeting, keeping the seven-year-old to the 1400 metres or look to give him his first trip over 1600 metres.
“He has had a lot of problems so I will see how he recovers from this and target the next night meeting at Mowbray (Launceston). I will see what is available over the 1400 to a mile (1600). Which ever one is easier” Wood said.
World Beater was passed in at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales for $45,000 ($15,000 below his reserve) The son of Agnes World was eventually purchased two years later by George Blacker for a bargain $2,000.