PROMISING five-year-old pacer Saturday Nights made amends for a string of minor placings when he scored a narrow but commanding win in the Folsom Blues Pace over 2579 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday night.
Saturday Nights was sent out the long odds-on favourite at $1.30 but had to fight all the way up the home straight to get the better of Flying Dubai ($11.70) that refused to wilt at the business end of the race.
The gelding’s trainer-driver Grant Hodges said the win was full of merit even though he didn’t run away from Flying Dubai after cruising to the leader in the straight.
Saturday Nights (Blissfull Hall-Breeze Baby) started from the outside of the second row and Hodges had him settled at the rear of the field in a comfort zone until the bell when he made his move three-wide but with cover on the back of Flying Dubai.
He joined Flying Dubai at the top of the straight and looked set to cruise past that horse but he had to be driven right out to win.
“This horse is still learning what it’s about and he just waits for other horses and then goes again but I’m hoping he grows out of it,” Hodges said.
Flying Dubai was gallant in defeat and if he continues to hold form another win is only just around the corner.
Saturday Nights is out of a well-performed mare in Breeze Baby that won a number of races as a three-year-old and after a two-year-absence from racing she resumed with a win in Launceston and then proceeded to win two and was placed eight times from her 10 subsequent starts before being sent to stud.
Listen to what trainer-driver Grant Hodges had to say about Saturday Nights’ latest win – click here.