They don't come much more honest than the 4yo Magnus gelding Kemalpasa who took his record to seven wins from his last 10 starts when opening his stakes account in Saturday's Listed Durbridge Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
With regular rider Jake Toeroek in the saddle, Kemalpasa, who carries the colours of Neville Morgan, looked to be struggling on the turn but really got into his work in the straight to record a length win over Casino Wizard (Any Given Saturday) with Arrow Lane (Red Arrow) a nose back in third.
Toeroek said nothing planned out for the handsome chestnut early in the race.
"He's a true competitor. I was a bit worried early because I was off the bit and wasn't travelling the best but the more I asked of him the more he pinned his ears back and he was really having a go for me,' he said.
"I thought I would be one out and one back but luckily enough I got a good cart up and he was too strong."
Trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, Kemalpasa advances his record to 8 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third from 21 starts with earnings of $285,100.
Richard Jolly said the son of Magnus may have earned a trip to Melbourne for Cup week.
"He's just flying. I though on the corner he was under a bit of pressure, but he peeled out and was just too good for them, Jolly said.
"When Jake put one across his backside, he just stuck his head out and wanted to hit the line
"So, a cheerio to (owner) Nev Morgan who told me this morning that he has had a winner for the past eight Saturdays, so today is number nine.
"We paid a $140,000 for him at the Magic Millions, which is about at the top level at what we bring back to Adelaide but he certainly has paid for himself.
"I said that if he won today we would look at taking him to Flemington for Cup week so I think that is well on the agenda now so I am just happy to have a horse good enough to go there.
"He's a grumpy, thin-skinned horse who doesn't like you touching him but he is quiet and likes to go to the beach but he has got his quirks."
Consigned by Kulani Park to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kemalpasa is the first foal of the winning Bianconi mare Yarra Bank who is a sister to the multiple Group II placed Pacino and a half-sister to the Listed MRC
She has a yearling colt by Magnus and was covered by Impending last spring but slipped.
Kemalpasa becomes the 20th stakes-winner for Sun Stud's Group 1 The Galaxy Stakes winner Magnus who is standing the present season at a fee of $16,500.
