Turning for home, owners of Encouraged would have been anything but as they watched their 3yo son of Smart Missile stand the leaders a significant start in today’s BM 60 (1100m) on the Sunshine Coast.
Having drawn the widest gate in a field of eleven, Encouraged was snagged back to last by apprentice Jockey Core Sutherland, settling near last has the field ran through the first two furlongs.
Angling away from the fence has the field rounded the turn, Encouraged and Sutherland looped the field 5 and 6 wide, and spotting the leaders, approximately eight lengths.
Not shying away from the task, the pair got stuck into their work and began to eat into the margin.
Passing the final furlong marker, Encouraged had moved to fourth and three lengths off the leaders – with a 100m to go, he was second and a length off.
Encouraged, with ears flattened and head outreached, continued to get the better of the leader with each stride and crossing line, he had a long neck advantage on his nearest rival.
It was his second win from only seven starts to date, and with two placings thrown in for good measure, owners are encouraged about what the lays ahead.