A change of the mare’s work regime and the change to racing on a new track by trainer Nick Le Lievre paid off when the 6yr-old scored a comfortable win in the 2700m feature.
Driver Blair Orange also mixed it up by altering Enchantee’s usual racing pattern in having her in front throughout.
The former placegetter in the group 1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Stakes had been tried unsuccessfully in front by several of her previous drivers, so Le Lievre advised the leading reinsman Enchantee would be better if she could trail another horse.
But Orange showed why he is the leading reinsman in the country by doing what others could not — getting Enchantee to lead throughout to win.
Enchantee was in front after making her trademark brilliant beginning.
"She’s a great standing-start horse. She hits the ground and there are not many that can beat her over the first 100 metres," Le Lievre said.
"We thought we might end up in front and then she could hand [up] to one of the better horses. She’s so much better coming from behind."
Le Lievre changed his mare’s training regime after she put a lengthy battle with a foot abscess behind her recently.
"It has been one step forward and two steps back and through all of that she still raced very well.
"She has had very little luck and she has been in fields that just haven’t suited her.
"I ended up upping her work at home — she does a lot of strong work."
With her fitness at 100%, the staying test of the 2700m Roxburgh Cup, on its tight, turning track, was perfect for Enchantee.
"She goes her best races in fast races or against the best horses," he said.
"Because she is a good staying mare and she has got such a good gait — and I knew she would be off the front — I thought I would come down with her for the one race."
Le Lievre races Enchantee with his wife Joy and friend
Alan Jones. His brother, Dominic, who is a doctor in Sydney, also shares in the
6yr-old’s ownership.
Another brother, Justin, the former Trackside presenter, was on hand for Enchantee’s win.
Enchantee was third in last season’s New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes. Le Lievre plans to target the race again this season, which will be Enchantee’s last before heading to the breeding barn.
The favourite, Spirit Of St Louis, took no part after galloping at the start. Driver Matthew Williamson said the horse became flat-footed after having to stand on the mark for too long.
Another leading chance, Robyns Playboy, disappointed when finishing ninth.
Williamson had better fortunes in the feature trot. He drove Fanny Hill to win after she led throughout the 2700m handicap.
