John O'Shea reckons Carambola has come back a stronger horse this preparation, but the mare needed the strength of in-form jockey Shaun Guymer to get her over the line at Kembla Grange on Saturday afternoon.
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She's a nice progressive mare
- John O'Shea
Vigorous riding from Guymer over the final furlong helped Carambola ($3) fight off the challenge of Superbowl Sunday ($1.90) after the Mark Newnham's race favourite climbed off the canvas to launch one final assault.
Carambola stayed tough in the hunt for the post to prevail by a half head to Superbowl Sunday, with Ivira just a half neck away in third.
"She's a nice progressive mare," O’Shea said.
"It was a good effort so she is on the board and should go through her grades quite nicely.
"She was a bit new her first preparation and had a good spell. She has come back and strengthened up."
Carambola’s win completed a winning double for O’Shea, who was on-track to witness the display.
Foxpack ($6.50) proved to be the thorn in the side of favourite backers in the Kembla Grange Maiden Plate (1000m).
The filly surged down the outside to grab Gwenda Markwell’s Charm Offensive ($1.70) in her final strides as Litchfield battled on well to finish third.
O’Shea’s Pop Girl also finished third in the final event.