The Hayes stable are confident there are bigger things to come for impressive two-year-old winner Espinola after his win at Wagga on Thursday.
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Espinola ($2.60) proved he has bright future with a dominant victory in the Riverine Club 2YO Showcase Handicap (1200m).
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable have enjoyed a brilliant strike rate with their two-year-olds at Wagga and that continued at the carnival.
Group one-winning jockey Michael Walker timed his run to perfection on Espinola, as he raced away to score by 2 1/2 lengths.
The Gary Portelli-trained Estrado ($6.50) ran home into second place, with Wagga two-year-old Weja hitting the line strongly to grab third.
Hayes-Dabernig stable foreman Russell Treloar was not surprised by the performance.
"It was a very nice win and he's always shown us plenty of promise," Treloar said.
"Even in his first preparation, winning and running a third, he showed a lot but gelding has definitely helped him.
"We could see it needed to happen and he's come back a lot better."
Treloar predicts that Espinola, a $100,000 Karaka purchase, will head back to city company now.
"He'll go straight back to the city now, whether it be Sydney or Melbourne," he said.
"He trialled up nicely before this and has come back well."
Meantime, Graeme Murray ensured the family enjoyed success at another Wagga carnival.
We're Off ($21.00) flew home along the inside to win the NSW Racehorse Owners Association Maiden Showcase Handicap (1400m) for the Murray camp.
It took a top ride from Adrian Layt, who had We're Off flying along the inside to knock off The Bluesmobile ($21.00) by a nose.
The Trevor Sutherland-trained Let's Get Animal ($3.80) boxed on strongly for third.
Murray was not originally sure if his three-year-old had arrived in time.
"Once I had a look at the replay, I thought we got there," Murray said.
"It was a great ride. When we drew wide we were always going to need to ride for luck. He rode for luck and everything opened up and he kept grinding away."
The Murray presence at the carnival this year is smaller but they hope to still hit the mark.
"We've only brought four horses, we didn't really have the right horses for the carnival," he said.
"I just brought a few that I thought could win."
Sure And Fast ran second in the Town Plate for Murray.
