Racing at Tatura on Tuesday, the ever-improving Make It Sweet made it four wins on the trot when taking out the 1450m Benchmark 64 Handicap.

Ridden a treat by stable jockey Jake Duffy, the four-year-old ground her way to victory to continue her unbeaten preparation.

Having never missed a place in seven starts, Make It Sweet was a talented but enigmatic three-year-old, and she eventually broke through for a maiden win in March, triumphing over 1600m at Bendigo.

Following a spell, the Wangaratta-trained galloper has continued to improve, winning back-to-back races at Wagga over 1300m and 1400m, respectively.

On Tuesday, it was her fourth consecutive win, and what makes her record so imposing is that she is far from being fully furnished, with Make It Sweet still learning her race craft.

“We’ve always had a pretty big opinion of her,” Duffy said in his post-race interview.

“It took her a little while to win first prep, but she is still immature now, so she is going to get better with more time and definitely more distance.”

A daughter of Fiorente out of New Page, the stable has a big opinion of Make It Sweet, who is bred to get over further distance.

“Early in the prep, we were talking mid-weeks over ten furlongs, so she is going the right way about it and at the bottom end of her distance,” Duffy said.

“To be honest, she has no idea; she sticks her ears back, lays in, and does things wrong, and she’s probably a horse that wants blinkers, but 2000m is where we want to get her, so there is no point rushing her over these sorts of trips.”

Make It Sweet could be a star of the future and another promising galloper in the Weeding Racing stable, and Duffy is pleased to be going along for the ride.

“I can’t thank the owners and Craig enough,” Duffy said.

“They have been big supporters of mine, and without them, I wouldn’t be able to ride horses like this one with a bit more ability.”

Starting the new season in good form, the Weeding Racing stable has a busy few days ahead of them.

Commencing with the Griffith meeting on Saturday, where Smart Poppy will contest the Griffith Cup, Craig and the team head to Corowa on Monday and Wodonga on Tuesday.

 

To get involved with Weeding Racing, check out our Horses Available link on the website or email Craig at Craig.weeding@gmail.com.

Image: Racing Photos
Words: Jeff Hanson