Hanchi goes one better in Jolly Beggar Stakes in Perth

Hanchi had not won a race since 2023, but that did not dissuade backers in punting him down to $10 favouritism in the A$100,000 (S$84,000) Jolly Beggar Stakes (1,000m), a Benchmark 84 Handicap at Belmont on Aug 30.

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Trained by Sean and Jake Casey, the five-year-old gelding by Squamosa went one better in the highlight race under jockey Chris Parnham after the pair finished second behind the winner Madhi Girl in a Benchmark 72 Handicap on Aug 16.

It has been a long time between drinks for connections, but Hanchi did not let them down this time. He chimed in with an irresistible run at the top of the home straight, before charging to the front and holding more than a length over the late-finishing Ghost Who Walks (Keshaw Dhurun).

The Tim Crosby-trained Cut The Talk (Alex Hearn) had to settle for third another two lengths away.

Trainer Mitchell Pateman's Who's Bent ($82) upstaged his more fancied rivals to shed his maiden tag at his fourth appearance in the opening A$80,000 MCA Polytrack Plate (1,000m).