It was the first 1600m event of the season and Brendan Corver’s talented mare Just Sue reigned supreme. She was ridden patiently by apprentice Andrew Castle but proved too powerful in the home straight. The win notched a hat-trick of triumphs and she has now won five of nine at the Esperance circuit. Topweight Key’s Ace under 58kg battled on well to be the runner-up and pacemaker Masters Seal held on for third. Our Calendar Girl and Lady Berthe both failed to impress.

Race Two was the Express Yourself Printing Handicap (over 1600m) and newcomer The Gift was the winner at $18.50 on tote. Prepared locally by Sally Roworth the seven-year-old was a strong winner at his Esperance debut. Publicans Horse rattled home to be beaten half a length for Derek Jones and Nicole Hopwood while the punter’s elect Cut And Dried salvaged third position after drifting a long way back. The winner’s time was a slow 1.37.47.

The third was a 1300m Maiden sponsored by Powerplant Motorcycles. Hackett’s Heart, a four-year-old son of Helenus, hadn’t raced since a tenth at Kalgoorlie in September but unleashed a mighty finish to break his maiden status for Brendan Corver and Willie Arnold. He was backed late on tote and defeated stablemate Royal Wing by a neck. Favourite Outside Influence could only manage a third after looking the goods at the top of the straight.

Race Four was sponsored by the West River Thoroughbred Stud and it provided local trainer Sally Roworth with another triumph. Arcade Attraction was well ridden by three-kilo-claiming apprentice Kevin Bohorun and held off a late challenge from grey mare Western Crown. Danger Man filled third ahead of the disappointing favourite Moss Street. Fizzy Kel caught the eye with a fast finishing fifth.

The feature was the Esperance Suzuki Sprint (1400m) and the Tracey Frizzell trained King Of The Stalls brought up his second win of the season. He’s Smokin’ set the speed but was conquered just a metre from the winning post after apprentice Talia Maor produced the winner with just 200m to travel. Grasa Express was entitled to drop out after looking to struggle on straightening but he battled on well to finish third.