HOT TOO TROT

A forced change in tactics saw Hot Too Go produce a career-best effort first-up to decimate his rivals at Geelong on Saturday. 

The plan was for jockey Daniel Stackhouse to take the recently turned foour-year-old forward in running, but a slow start saw the gelding back in the ruck. 

Stackhouse didn't panic and rode a patient race in the 1500m maiden event, and when Hot Too Go saw daylight he exploded away with a 3.25-length demolition job. 

"It might be the way to ride him going forward as he showed an electric turn of foot when the gap came, it really was an impressive performance," Stackhouse said. 

The son of Too Darn Hot was having his 12th start in a career that had already included five placings, with his best result a runner-up finish in the listed Geelong Classic over 2200m. 

Trainer Danny O'Brien said he felt the horse had taken a while to overcome his Spring campaign that culminated in the Victoria Derby. 

"Derby Day was tough on leaders and he ran honest, but then he just didn't seem to come up in the Autumn. He has furnished a lot since and looked to have been in terrific order coming into his return," O'Brien said. 

"We have always liked him so hopefully he can get confidence out of the win and really go on with it."   

Pic by Racing Photos