The Henry Dwyer-trained Lucky Liberty came with a barnstorming finish under Michelle Payne to open his stakes account in the Listed Ian McLeod Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
The 5yo completed a successful long weekend for Sun Stud's underrated stallion Statue Of Liberty (USA) after Star Exhibit captured the Listed A.T.A. Stakes (2200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
With just a couple runners behind her turning for home, Payne managed to extract Lucky Liberty into clear air in the straight.
It proved the winning move as the gelding produced a withering burst to defeat Grande Rosso (Written Tycoon) by one and
An emotional Dwyer said it was a just reward for a horse that had battled a multitude of setbacks in his career.
"This is as big a thrill as I've had on a racecourse getting this horse back," Dwyer said.
"He had
"He's had severe feet issues right the way through. He's just a really brave horse that overcomes his problems."
"We'll send him to a green paddock for a few weeks, he's done a really good job this prep and doesn't owe anyone anything.
"I've always thought he'd be a great lightweight chance in a race like the Stradbroke (Handicap) on a
"A freshen up now and there's a nice VOBIS race over 1200m at Caulfield which suits him in April and then we'll look at Queensland."
Lucky Liberty advances his overall record to 6 wins and 1 third from 11 starts with earnings of $223,550.
That's a grand return on the $17,000 he cost Dwyer
"He's the second horse I ever bought at the yearling sales when I started training, they are a great group of friends and family that race him so I'm rapt," Dwyer said.
Lucky Liberty is the third foal of the winning Xaar mare Warcraft whose pedigree had been devoid of a stakes-winner for four generations.
Warcraft's dam Lola Mia (Ivory Hunter) was a handy
After having a Master Of Design filly in 2014, Warcraft was not covered in 2014 or 2015.
Lucky Liberty becomes the 20th stakes winner for Statue Of Liberty (USA) who stands at Sun Stud for a fee of $8,800.
