Tom does owner proud in thrilling finish

The Phillip Stokes-trained Tom has scored an emotional breakthrough victory for his connections at Sandown.

Tom, who is named after a close friend of part-owner Jeremy Payne, did the right thing by his large legion of supporters in taking out the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate (1200m) on Saturday.

Stokes stable representative Shae Dinunzio explained Payne’s close friend Tom died after a battle with cancer last week with his funeral held last Friday.

“The horse is named after owner Jeremy Payne’s very good friend Tom who unfortunately didn’t stay alivef long enough to see him win his maiden,” Dinunzio said.

“He held on to see him have his first two starts and was over the moon to see him run second at Moonee Valley at his first start.

“It was his funeral last Friday. It was a big day and this win, it’s a pretty special win for them and I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.”

Ridden by Thomas Stockdale, Tom ($4) scored by a short-half-head from Arcora ($6) with the $3.70 betting companies favourite Heavenly Conquest a short-head away third.

Dinunzio said Tom may not be the best horse in the Stokes stable, but he wished there were more like the gelding in the yard.

“He’s a straightforward horse. He’s very fit, a real little nugget, a real little trier,” Dinunzio said.

“He probably won’t be the best horse in the stable, but as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, we’ll be really happy.”

Stockdale said barrier five had certainly helped Tom’s chances as he was able to be handy in the run without having to push the gelding.

“He hadn’t been disgraced in his last two and he’s still learning his craft,” Stockdale said.

“Today from the gate we were always going to be afforded a nice run, but I wanted to ride him a bit cushier as he had been travelling quite close to his top all the way.

“Knowing that he could travel in hand, I knew he would have a good finish, and it was a matter of getting the gaps at the right time and luckily, he was brave enough to stick his little head through.”