Impressive wins by Stomp The Rhythm, Baton Rouge

STOMP THE RHYTHM and BATON ROUGE scored contrasting but convincing victories in yesterday’s divided O & S Tack Room Trophy at seven furlongs, wins that pushed both geldings into the no man’s land of unrestricted overnight-allowance company.

STOMP THE RHYTHM, who placed second and third in his first two starts among unrestricted overnight runners before, uncharacteristically, racing at the rear on his next two outings, turned his form around by chasing United States-bred LUKSOL, who tried to make all at odds of 10-1.

Relegated to third by BRINKS on the far turn, STOMP THE RHYTHM kept pace along the rail and renewed his challenge coming off the home turn.

Challenging BRINKS for second a furlong and a half out, STOMP THE RHYTHM had to be switched from off the rail before charging at LUKSOL, who tried using her speed to steal a march on a fast track.

Ridden out by Shamaree Muir, 5-2 chance STOMP THE RHYTHM collared LUKSOL a half-furlong out to win pulling clear by a length and a half in 1:26.1, the exact time clocked by 7-1 upsetter BATON ROUGE in division two.

No stranger to overnight allowance, but always finding emerging stars or runners lowering class better at the level, BATON ROUGE took advantage of a fast track, and almost non-existent wind, to blaze into a clear lead from TEKAPUNT and slow-starting 3-5 favourite CHAMPION BUBBLER on the far side.

Reporting off a $1 million claim with a strong victory at the trip under his girth, BATON ROUGE quickened off the home turn with Paul Francis, who earlier, had won the third event with MAGGIE’S TRIX.

BATON ROUGE’s kick left TEKAPUNT and CHAMPION BUBBLER struggling in his wake for a six-length win, lowering his August 7 time at the distance by 3.4 seconds, confirming that the summer winds, which prevailed throughout July and most of August, had contributed significantly to slow times up to a week ago.

Racing continues at the weekend.