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CASPAR Netscher capped a brilliant weekend for Trillium Place when he swooped for victory in the Grade 2 Neartic Stakes at Woodbine, Canada.
The day after Madame Chiang struck in Group 1 company on British Champions Day at Ascot, Caspar Netscher recorded his first victory since July 2012 - and what a journey it has been.
The horse was retired to stud at the end of his three-year-old campaign but proved to be sub-fertile and came back into training with David Simcock.
He finished second to Garswood, beaten a neck on that return run in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes - and that was as close he'd come to the winner's circle...until yesterday.
Jockey Andrew Mullen gave Caspar a peach of a ride, judging the pace to perfection. He was content to let the five-year-old travel towards the middle-rear of the 10-strong field for much of the six-furlong contest as the Canadian-trained Black Hornet set a searching gallop on the front end.
Mullen made his move with two furlongs to go, launching Casper who responded with a stirring burst.
He flashed by tiring rivals but still had to rein in the game Black Hornet as they approached the last strides.
Sure enough - thanks to Mullen's perfect judgement - Simcock's charge had enough in the tank to close the deal and win going away by three parts of a length.
It was a superb performance and follows David's double at Grade 1 level last month in Woodbine where Sheikhzayedroad and Trade Storm both obliged.