Chinqui upsets Beast Mode at Caulfield races
A favourable weight swing and a return to dry ground helped Chinqui bounce back to winning form at Caulfield Heath.
With apprentice Luke Cartwright claiming 2kg, Chinqui enjoyed an 8.5kg advantage over $1.80 favourite Beast Mode in the Sportsbet More Place Handicap.
The combination proved decisive, with Chinqui ($8) finishing over the top late to edge Beast Mode by a short neck, while Codigo ($8) was the same margin back in third.
James Peters, assistant-trainer to Anthony and Sam Freedman, said the gelding’s previous run on heavy ground had been quickly forgotten.
“He didn’t go a yard on that heavy track, so he had a brief freshen up,” Peters said.
“He trialled really well the other day and we were confident as on-pace seems to be the place today and he was from an inside draw.
“We also got a great lead off the favourite and he pinned the ears and really chased hard.
“We had that eight kilos weight swing in our favour, and we wanted to make that horse feel a bit of early pressure by not wanting to hand up straight away.
“He was going pretty quick and Luke used his brain, sat off him, got a lovely cart into the race and with the guts the horse showed, he really wanted to chase that other horse down.”
Beast Mode crossed to lead under Craig Williams and looked poised to kick clear turning for home.
Inside the final 100 metres, however, Chinqui unleashed a strong late run to snatch victory.
“It was pretty textbook what Beast Mode does,” Cartwright said.
“I was hoping to get him to do a little bit to get across and I knew from the 600 (metres) that he gets on his bike himself.
“But I was able to suck up on his back and peel out, however, to be honest I didn’t think I was going to reel him in until the last 100 metres.
“But with the light weight, he just let rip late.”
The success completed a double for Cartwright after earlier winning on Roadcone in the Magic Millions Digital Online Handicap (1500m).
Chinqui’s upset result and future betting opportunities can be followed via the Australian betting sites list.
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