The blinkers will stay off Life Of Riley, who justified his warm favouritism in the $16,000 DB Draught Weight-For-Age (1200m) at Woodville.
The gelding's co-trainer, Keith Hawtin, has confirmed that Life Of Riley had worn blinkers for most of his racing career, but a recent decision to remove them paid dividends on Saturday.
"Sometimes blinkers do the trick when they go on some horses, but this proves it can work in reverse as well," Hawtin said.
Life Of Riley, ridden by Michael Walker, and the Bruce Marsh-trained After Eight (Tracy Collis) fought a dour battle over the last 250m of Saturday's race, with the bob of the head in favour of Life Of Riley at the line.
The Kreisler 5-year-old is in only his third season of racing, but has travelled far and wide.
His 10 career wins include the $A100,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in Sydney as a 3-year-old. He was also group placed over the same distance at the same venue and group placed over 1200m at Morphettville in Adelaide.
"He's been a wonderful money-spinner for three of the owners, who have been loyal stable clients for 25 years," Hawtin said.
Life Of Riley is part-owned by Hawtin's training partner, Graeme Rogerson, who races him with Tui Armstrong, of Tauranga, and Huia Andersen, of Hamilton.
The same combination raced open-class galloper My Quota, while Rogerson and Armstrong are also part-owners of Life Of Riley's younger brother Royston and Eplanet (by Star Way), who finished second in his debut at Taupo today.
"It's a great thrill to see Life Of Riley back in the winners' circle," Hawtin said.
"He's just a little below the top echelon of sprinters, but he always tries hard and gives of his best.
"We were going to put him in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham next week, but that's just a bit too tough for him.
" He might have a few more wins up his sleeve if we place him right."
Life Of Riley lifted his total stake earnings to just under the $300,000 mark with Saturday's victory.
He has raced 45 times for 10 wins, seven seconds, four thirds and five fourths and stakes of $297,334.
He was bred by the Go Kreisler Syndicate from winning Clay Hero mare Go Norn, who was bred by Sir Patrick Hogan.
- NZPA
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