The former Cootamundra-based trainer rated Saturday’s Tumut victory with Tuskegee Commander among his favourite races after the four-year-old blitzed the 1400m field in just his seventh race.

Racing from bar four, jockey Belinda Wright held the bay gelding in third for the opening 900m before surging clear to win by more than two and a half lengths.

“To tell the truth, that ride was beyond all my expectations,” Dimitropoulos said.

“Belinda rode him really well and I think he had plenty left in the tank too. I think he’s shaping up to be very good – probably a 2000m horse – and he’s shown good promise on a 1600m and 1700m track. In the past, he’s given up 20-30 lengths at the start but he’s coming home really strong now.”

Dimitropoulos said blinkers played a key role in Tuskegee Commander’s win.

“We’d tried them out a few times before the race and I thought they worked really well for him.

“I think he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.”

The trainer also made special note of fellow trainer Graham Byatt’s handling.

“Graham’s been doing a brilliant job so a lot of the credit should go to him.”

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