SAW it. Took it. Owned it.
Outside favourite Just The Tip was true to his name at the Wanganui Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, cleaning up in the listed $50,000 Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup despite a last-minute jockey substitution.
Just the Tip blitzed the field and finished strongly into the wind for a three-length win that the 6-year-old had never looked like relinquishing from the time they left the starter's gate.
Part of another popular Christmas at the Races event for the Wanganui Jockey Club, this win was the first list victory for New Plymouth trainer Janelle Millar and the horse's syndicate of owners.
The progressive galloper shot out to an eight-length lead as the 10-horse field - admittedly not the strongest in recent years - went past the post for the first time in the 2040m feature.
Ironically, the scene became quite dramatic after a mistiming issue with the PA system meant the pre-race operatic singing of Wanganui's Leonie Symes was still in full effect as the horses thundered down the straight - which was of great annoyance up in the TAB commentary booth.
Guided by jockey Mark Hills, who had stepped in at the last moment after designated rider Hayden Tinsley pulled out with dehydration, Just The Tip extended his advantage as Aussie horse Letsgetiton and Awapuni's Dubai Belle traded second and third, with the gap to the leader eventually closing to three lengths.
But Just The Tip had plenty left in the tank as they headed back down the straight with the field spreading - the Taranaki-trained horse going on to easily hold off the challengers, with Dubai Belle claiming second and Flying Orca getting up for third in a photo finish with Letsgetiton.
Crossing the line in 2m 08.82s, Just The Tip brought home $6.30 for his punters, earning his sixth win from 24 starts and taking his total prizemoney to $86,663.
"I didn't expect that at all," said Hills after the race. "Certainly it's up there. Janelle [Millar] was quite confident."
Hills said even with the massive early advantage, he was not concerned his charge had overextended and would 'die' in the straight.
"It's more about keeping the horse comfortable. He was happy in himself, wasn't overdoing it."
Rotorua co-owner Craig Thorburn, who was the only syndicate member to attend the meeting with his partner, likewise said he had confidence their horse would kick home.
"I wasn't worried. I had a lot of faith in this horse. He's let us down a couple of times but we know where he's been.
"I was thinking, 'Mark Hills knows what he's doing and he's done it before'.
"It was a brilliant ride. He played cat and mouse with them."
Thorburn had invested in Just The Tip three years ago and never regretted that decision.
"We bought the lease when we knew he had the ability and he's gone from there."
Proud trainer Millar said while Just The Tip had two wins last season, the horse had not given her that "same feeling" of confidence as he has this year.
"He backed up from Taranaki [races] so he had a race under his belt.
"If there was a problem there last season, he hasn't got it now."
Just The Tip has a nomination for the Wellington Cup (2400m) and victory in the 2040m list Wanganui Cup could only increase the chances of inclusion, Millar said.
Overall, the Wanganui Jockey Club could look back on another successful Christmas event. While on-course turnover of $150,787 in a nine-race card was slightly down on previous years, it well surpassed the TAB-set budget of $96,050.
The 850 group bookings was solid, with a good walk-up crowd of young people, although staff had to separate some drunken scuffles in the grandstand's public area late in the day.