Consistent performer Perfect Scenario made it back-to-back victories in the feature event at Wingatui on Saturday when he captured his second Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) title.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained six-year-old had bolted away with the 2023 edition of the time-honoured southern mile, winning by more than three lengths, but was made to work much harder this time around as he survived a torrid home straight scrap with eventual runner-up Dazzling Miss.
Settled in fourth by Te Akau Racing apprentice Niranjan Parmar, the son of Iffraaj was content to lob along before swooping into contention around the home bend to join issue with Dazzling Miss who made her challenge closer to the inside rail.
The pair waged war in the closing stages with Perfect Scenario gaining the upper hand short of the line as race favourite Times Ticking battled on well to shade Ears Back for third.
Bergerson was on duty at Wingatui and wore a smile a mile wide as he celebrated the result.
“Hugely satisfying to see a horse like him go back-to-back as he is just an old marvel to have around the stable,” Bergerson said.
“He is a real favourite of everyone and just plods around doing his own business as he loves stable life.
“He has grown a leg since coming down here and it was a good ride by Parmar.
“I think the key was getting him out wide as he looked like he was floundering at the top of the straight but as he came wider and wider he found another leg.
“He is such a genuine horse and puts his best foot forward every time he steps out.”
Bergerson believes the horse has plenty of options ahead of him including the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on 24 February, a race where he finished fourth behind glamour mares Levante and La Crique in 2023..
“It seems the logical step to keep him down here but there is the Group One at Otaki that he contested last year,” he said.
“He is in fantastic form but we’ll take him home and then go from there.”
Perfect Scenario has now won nine of his 34 starts and over $352,000 for the Te Akau Perfection Syndicate after being purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $165,000 from the Woburn Farm draft during the 2019 Book 1 Sale at Karaka.
In a sensational start to the race senior jockey Terry Mosely survived a nasty incident when he was dislodged from Burgie just 30m after the gates opened but walked unaided back to the barrier seemingly no worse for wear.