Japanese import A Shin Rook took the first step to what might be bigger spring riches with a fighting win in the $50,000 Gold Nugget,1600m, in Ballarat on Sunday.
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Trained by Anthony Freedman at Mornington, A Shin Rook ($3.20) had to work hard to get past pacemakers Barry The Baptiste ($4.40) and Curragh ($3 favourite) before drawing away by almost a length.
Jockey Damien Lane said hopefully the six-year-old was building some confidence and would be seen in some nicer races.
A Shin Rook has been Australia since early last year and now has four wins on Australian tracks.
The Gold Nugget completed a double for Lane, who also scored on Gina's Hope ($4 favourite) for Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman in the Sportsbet-Foolproof Benchmark64 Handicap, 1200m.
That was the mare's first win this season after back-to-back successes at Kyneton and Echuca in November-December last year.
Ballarat trainers had a day out on the seven-race program, with the New Zealand-bred Tezlah ($6.50) getting home for Simon Morrish in the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark64 Handicap, 1600m, and Yankee Toff ($17) Melody Cunningham in the Hygain Winners Choice Benchmark64 Handicap, 1400m.
Yankee Toff has the perfect record on the Ballarat turf since joining Cunningham's stable with two wins from as many wins on his home circuit.
Jamie Mott also rode a treble on the card.
