Next Contestant scores again

Next Contestant secured his second victory in as many weeks with a powerful gallop at the Bunbury Turf Club on Thursday.

The four-year-old gelding, a product of trainer Sean Casey’s Ascot stable, displayed impressive finishing speed on the home straight to upset $1.85 favourite Vengabus by half a length in the $17,500 PFD Food Services Handicap (1400m).

Starting from barrier three, Next Contestant ($4) settled fourth and held that position into the turn.

Jockey Patrick Carberry swung the horse out wide around the bend to sit on the outside shoulder of Vengabus for the sprint to the line.

The gelding proved too much for Simon Miller’s Vengabus to handle, overtaking the favourite with room to spare and the gap widening as the horses crossed the line.

Next Contestant won in his last outing at Pinjarra at the beginning of the month and appears to be entering into a rich vein of form just in time for the Autumn Racing Carnival.

In the day’s other action, Let’s Havachat ($3.70) won the $15,000 Tabtouch Handicap (2000m) by a neck from The Purple Parrot and Sunset Superman.

James Grieve-trained gelding Nanna King ($7.50) finally broke through for his maiden win, beating Return on Capital and Fair Haze across the line in the $11,000 Weathersafe WA maiden (1400m).

Jockey Glenn Smith guided impressive young filly Midnight Shimmer ($4) to a half length victory over Gold Flight (NZ) and Immunetojudgement in the $17,500 WA Carpet Supermarket Handicap (1675m).