Partisan Hero, near side, pips Red Socks© Photo Healy Racing
Partisan Hero pulled out just that bit more when strongly challenged by Pink Socks in the apprentice handicap over a mile at Gowran Park.
The 10/3 favourite, Partisan Hero, tracked before being driven to the front by Jake Coen on the run to the final furlong.
It looked for all money that he would kick on, however, Pink Socks and Amy Jo Hayes had other ideas.
They came through on the inner and really served it up to the leader in the closing stages and were almost on terms in the closing stages.
Partisan Hero dug deep to get home by a head from the 15/2 runner-up. Monzoon 16/1, completed the placings four lengths further back in third.
Jake Coen, who was riding his first winner for Dermot Weld, said: “He’d a couple of fair runs and Mr Weld and Chris Hayes were a big help to me. They all fancied him and it worked out well.
“It was a lovely smoothly run race and he’s a lovely big horse.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
