CLASSY Tasmanian sprinter Punctuate emerged as a genuine Newmarket contender when he scored an emphatic win in the Iris Computing Goodwood Handicap over 1100 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday.
Punctuate had not won a race for just over 18 months but he left no doubt that he still possesses the ability that has earned him a reputation as one of the state’s best sprinters.
With in-form jockey Anthony Darmanin aboard, Punctuate began well from the outside barrier (12) and had no trouble finding the lead.
The David and Scott Brunton-trained five-year-old travelled sweetly to the home turn and when pressured by the race favourite Bionic Star (Brendon McCoull) in the home straight he responded brilliantly.
He hit the line well clear of Bionic Star with classy mare Rebel Bride a closing third and just ahead of Dream Flyer.
Punctuate ran third in last year’s Newmarket but it was that effort that saw the handicapper award him eight rating points and that was a major contributing factor to the horse not being able to win another race.
But back to a quality handicap he went into Sunday’s race on the minimum of 54kg.
Punctuate is raced by a syndicate that was put together by former Tasbreeders Executive Officer Brett Williams who was delighted with the win.
The $90,000 Listed Newmarket handicap (1200m) will be run under lights in Launceston on November 21.
Listen to what Brett Williams had to say about Punctuate’s latest win. click here.