SUKOOT IGNORES DOUBTERS

Being named fourth emergency, drawing the outside gate, settling back against the early pattern and being sent out as a $20 chance meant nothing to Sukoot at Benalla on Monday.

Despite having plenty stacked against him, the Savabeel gelding thumbed his nose to it all and grew wings down the outside to win the last race on the card.

After drifting back from the wide alley, jockey Damien Thornton bide his time on the five-year-old before starting his run about 600m from home. 

Sukoot was forced to come wide around the corner and with 300m to go the task still seemed beyond him with many lengths to make up.

However, Thornton kept riding vigorously and Uluru Stud's tried-horse purchase, having his third start for trainer Danny O'Brien, produced a scintillating turn of foot to claim his rivals and secure what in the end was a soft win.

"It was a tremendous performance as he had a stack of work to do coming to the turn, but his finish was terrific and it felt I expect he will in for good prep," Thornton said.