Talented juvenile Hesitate will be aimed at the NSW Pacers Derby following his win in the Benstud Standardbred Youthful Stakes (2YO Colts & Geldings).
The Damien Burns trained-and-driven colt enjoyed the run of the race behind the $1.65 favorite Fairplay whose driver Mark Pitt dictated the race to suit himself.
Once in the sprint lane, Hesitate showed brilliant acceleration to pounce on the lead and score running away by two metres with a slick 26.4 last 400 metres.
Burns was thankful Hesitate was able to atone for his previous run when he broke twice in running during the Breeders Crown Final in which he started a $2.70 favorite.
“I thought I had to get around first and the result was second,” Burns said.
“He’s just got push button speed when he puts his head down and goes he can accelerate, I know how good this horse is and when he wins a race it’s just relief. He’s won all the minor classics but unfortunately he didn’t win a big one,” he said.
Burns said he had a change of plans in recent weeks.
“I was going to spell him after the Crown but after four days in the paddock and then he started tearing around and thought that we’ll keep him ticking along,” he said.
“We’re hopeful to looking at the NSW Derby and target these races – he’s good enough to win a big one.”
