The pre-race plan went out the window but trainer Koster Potamianakis was still satisfied with Our Private Jet's victory in the HPW Accountants Open Handicap (1400m) at Cannon Park on Saturday.
The gelding notched his 10th career victory but had to work hard for the win, eventually beating home Cupbearer by one-and-a-quarter lengths, with Sneak N Out two lengths behind in third.
Trainer Koster Potamianakis said jockey Ian Toward was not able to follow the pre-race instructions.
"He rode him well enough, he rode him not quite to instruction but we still won the race so I can’t complain," he said.
"He just let him get back a bit but he had his reasons for it, he didn’t want to get trapped wide."
Potamianakis said Our Private Jet would be spelled because there were no more races long enough this year.
"He’ll have to go to the paddock and come back next year and I’ll play it by ear if he comes up.
"There’s just no more races at the moment that suit him.’’
Potamianakis also had success with Cyclone Larry in the Piccones Xmas Party Class 4 Handicap on Saturday.
Potamianakis said it was a return to form for the gelding.
"He ran up to some of his early form when he was going good,’’ he said.
"He’s just been a bit hard to figure out to get him to try.’’
Saturday’s meeting was the last in Cairns for the year.
