There have not been many more deserving winners of a big race than Hold Me Up, who led throughout from box four to win Saturday night's Ladbrokes Christmas Gift final at Wentworth Park.
Hold Me Up reeled off slick early splits of 5.45 and 13.88 before defeating Coast Model by one-and-a-half lengths in 29.69, a mere .02sec outside his personal best Wentworth Park figures.
After the race Hold Me Up's trainer Joe Comito said: "He has been in three or four major finals, including the Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park in September.
"After that he finished second in a heat of the Black Top at The Gardens, where French Martini broke the track record to beat him.
"And he had no luck in a heat of the group 1 Dapto Megastar on December 1, when he was knocked over in the early stages.''
Cawbourne Magic confirmed his ranking as NSW's top stayer by backing up his Newcastle Cup win at The Gardens on December 9 with a powerhouse finishing effort to take out Saturday night's $25,000 to the winner 720m Ladbrokes Chrismtas Cheer.
Prolific Victorian winner Mepunga Ruby had no sooner wrenched the lead from French Vanilla near the home turn, than Cawbourne Magic charged down the outside to score by a half length in 42.29.
The winner, trained by Jodie Lord, was a distant fifth at the catching pen and still a long way off the lead when fourth on the back straight before surging into second spot at the top of the straight.
Not Wanted, who took out Saturday night's $10,000 to the winner fifth grade final, was a doubtful starter until Friday morning.
Trainer Mick Clayton explained: "She was crook in the shoulder after she finished second in Nelly Intention's heat and last Monday and Tuesday I gave Not Wanted no hope of starting in the final.
"But by Wednesday she was starting to pick up and she continued to improve by Thursday, but it wasn't until 24 hours or so before tonight's race that I knew she would definitely be okay to run.''
Starline Express, trained at Grafton by Reg Gardoll, made an impressive Wentworth Park debut to take out Saturday night's Christmas Juvenile Sprint and is now likely to be back in town for next month's Ladbrokes National Derby.
Before last night's race Starline Express had clocked 30.18 in a trial at Wentworth Park but trainer Gardoll said later: "He will improve plenty on that run.''
Gardoll was correct as Starline Express led throughout on Saturday in 29.95, posting a flying second sectional time of 13.79.
Palawa King, who had won his previous WP race over 720m, switched back to sprinting to stage a last-to-first performance to win Saturday's West Country Christmas Stakes over 520m.
Palawa King was last away but railed through to be third on the back straight with trainer Jack Smith quipping: "He blew the whistle and got the run.
"Palawa King has a big motor but just needs to learn how to race.
"He doesn't turn two until next month so has a future because he can go back over 720m at Wenty and then be freshened up to contest 520m races like the one he won tonight.,''
Vamoose, who landed Saturday's Christmas Dash final for trainer Susan Smith, zipped over the 280m in 15.82, just .10sec outside the track record set by Laurie's Flyer two years ago.
Ironically Laurie's Flyer was trained by John Miles, the partner of Vamoose't trainer.
