Western Sonador provided his connections something to cheer for in a tough week as he booked his place in the group one Regional Championships final.
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The four-year-old was a dominant winner for the first heat of the new series at Riverina Paceway on Friday.
Making a move around the field to find the front, Western Sonador ($1.28fav) eased away from his rivals to take a 16-metre victory over Tactical Response ($23).
Reinsman Blake Jones was pleased with his performance.
"Everything has gone to plan with him," Jones said.
"We set out to space his runs a fair bit and that run should top him off for the final.
"He should be that bit better again, fingers crossed."
Western Sonador has now won five of his starts for trainer Ellen Bartley.
However it was the first time the stable had raced the horse from in front and it proved to be a learning experience.
"He got a bit casual when I tried to get the front, I don't think he's really been in front before, and I had to pop the plus but when they sort of come at him he switched back on and picked up the bit," Jones said.
"He was good."
Jones was also pleased to win after the death of part-owner Eddie Asim during the week.
Even the race was broadcast as part of his memorial service.
"It was good for them and I imagine they would have been pretty happy with it," Jones said.
The win also took away some of the pain of needing to scratch another short priced favourite from the lucrative heats.
Brooklyns Best had to be scratched on Friday morning due to a hoof abscess.
The stable hopes she will be right for the second and last round of heats next week.
"That was far from ideal," Jones said.
"She got a good heat and the race looked to suit her and she was probably really going to benefit from the run.
"If she had of gotten through the fortnight between the run and the final would have been perfect but there is not much you can do.
"That is horses for you, they disappoint you are fair bit of the time and to have scratch wasn't real good for the connections or for the boss (Bartley).
"She was a bit upset about it."
The absence of Brooklyns Best worked in Brian Smith's favour as he took out the final of five heats with Streamliner.
The eight-year-old reversed his recent run of form to lead all the way from gate five.
Streamliner hadn't been placed since winning his last race in February six starts back but just kept on running to score by 7.7 metres.
His mile rate of 1:57.3 was the slowest of the heat winners.
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