"He's only had 11 races and he's now won five of them. He is yet to reach is mark and I think he will become braver with more racing behind him. He's a lot tougher this time in," Dalgety said.

The talented 4-year-old Christian Cullen gelding was spelled for six months after his fourth start in January. He returned to racing with a second behind Franco Jamar at Addington on July 24 and since then has won four times and placed twice from seven starts.

Dalgety said the pacer was a lot more mature this time in.

"He's a really nice sit and sprint horse who has a lot of high speed. Tipping him out was the making of him. I was pleasantly surprised with his win but it was not unexpected. It was a very brave run and shouldn't be the last time Dexter (Dunn) salutes the judge with him," Dalgety said.

Holy Hero is owned by Dalgety's long-time stable Australian client Bill Green, who owns a freight services company in Wollongong. The victory was the only win on Cup Day for New Zealand's top reinsman Dexter Dunn.

They paced the 2600m stand in 3:15.2 (mile rate: 2:00.7) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 57.4 and 28.9 seconds. Centreofattention (Anthony Butt) was a neck back in second with 5-1/4 lengths back to Scott Mach (Mark Purdon) in third. Holy Hero started from one on the 10m handicap.

Duane RANGER (editor)