Maximan and Kate Gath.
The sky looks the limit for six-year-old Andy Gath trained gelding Maximan this summer.
The son of Armbro Operative/Clifton Beauty overcame early pressure to record an impressive win in the Preux Chevalier Free For All over 2240 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.
Maximan had to hum early as he was taken on by in-form Terang pacer Exciteusinthecity in a speed battle.
Kate Gath took Maximan to the front from gate six, while Tim McLean followed her across from gate seven to park in the breeze behind Exciteusinthecity.
Maximan rated 1:55.5 and held off a strong late challenge from Geoff Webster trained Cut For An Ace in the home straight to score by a neck.
Maximan’s sectionals were 30.6, 29.6, 28.3 and 28.7.
Cut For An Ace had a charmed run and looked the winner with 100m to go, but when Maximan realised he was being challenged the gelding dug deep and responded to hard driving for a narrow triumph.
Kate and Andy Gath made it a running double with another stable star in Race 6, the Maori’s Idol Trotters Free For All (Group 3) when Elegant Image led all the way.
The son of S J’s Photo/Whitney Grace worked to find the lead early while My High Expectation (odds-on) had to sit parked from the wide gate seven draw.
Off the back and My high Expectations was starting to struggle, while Elegant Image was kicking on strongly – the Gath runner eventually winning by 3.6 metres over a brave El Paco, who is racing in great form, with Cold Sister making ground first-up from a spell for third.
Meanwhile, Geoff Webster finished with a training double via Kotare Roland winning the Andrew Grant Claiming Masters First Heat before Will Mach My Word proved too good in the Danielle Lewis Tribute 4YO Pace.