Right You Are has continued his progression from a potentially career ending injury with a fighting win at Moonee Valley.
His win in the Sweeney Estate Agents North Altona Handicap (2040m) on Saturday followed his first win in more than two years when successful at Sandown on December 10.
Sent out the $2.70 favourite under Ethan Brown, Right You Are fought back after being headed in the straight to score a short-head win from Spanish Kiss ($31) with Vegas Knight ($3.40) a half-head away third.
After starting his career with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Right You Are suffered a suspensory injury that required rehabilitation.
Lucy Yeomans, assistant trainer with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, said the injury suffered by Right You Are had been potentially career ending.
“Full credit to the team,” Yeomans said.
“It’s been well-documented that he’s had his issues and we’ve brought him back from injury.
“The team at home spend lots of time icing him, taking him to the beach and on the treadmill.
“He did what we thought was a career threatening injury, but we rehabbed him, got him back and he’s rewarding us.”
Yeomans said it was not an easy watch after Right You Are was headed in the straight by the runner-up.
“I’m ‘Negative Nellie’. I was really worried about the two-week turnaround having really spaced his runs previously,” Yeomans said.
“Even though it looks like he’s gone, he thinks a bit. If he thinks he’s getting it easy, he just coasts along, so it looks like he loves a dogfight.
“He needed the horse beside him to keep him motivated.”
With topweight, Brown said he needed to be tactically smart aboard Right You Are, especially conceding 3kg to third-placed, the Nick Ryan-trained Vegas Knight who has also been well-supported in betting.
“He began well, and I didn’t want to drag him back and slot in behind, so I was happy to roll across,” Brown said.
“I didn’t think we were going overly quick and when we did quicken, Nick’s horse put a length on me.
“He responded really well but hit the front too soon. He got headed in the straight, but to his credit he fought back having that horse next to him.”