The Bendigo Jockey Club is known as the Nursery of Champions and Saturday's Golden Mile meeting could have unearthed another future Group-class galloper.
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Two-year-old filly Swats That could not have been more impressive in winning the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) for the father-and-son training combination fo Leon and Troy Corstens.
Ridden by John Allen, Swats That ($6) travelled just behind a hot speed before showing a great turn of foot in the home straight.
The daughter of Shamus Award powered clear to win by the best part of two lengths from the David Hayes-trained Bella Nipotina ($8.50), with Masseuse ($7) a further two lengths away in third.
"You really like to see them race like she did - off the pace whereas in the trial she went to the front and stayed there,'' Leon Corstens said.
"Today she was off the pace and worked home well. We're hoping (she's got a lot more in her)."
Allen said Swats That had all the makings of a smart horse.
"She's a nice filly. I've ridden her in a couple of jump outs, it's hard to get a real gauge but she'd done everything nicely.
"She was never really taken off the bridle, so it was hard to get a real gauge of how good she is.
"She gave me a nice feel and it was pretty easy today.
"She jumped ok, got into a nice rhythm straightaway. We were wide but we were able to get on the back of David Hayes' horse and I was comfortable it would give us a good cart into the race.
"I was a little afraid when we hit the front halfway up the straight, she was starting to have a bit of a look around but she had a bit too much in reserve to hold them off."
Leon Corstens said he had no immediate plans for Swats That.
"We'll just wait and see. I'll talk to Troy and I'm sure he'll have a talk to the owners and we'll see what happens," Leon said.
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