Toned shows age is no barrier

Toned still has plenty of life left in him after winning the $10,000 Freo Group United Crane Hire Collie Cup (2000m) on Saturday, according to trainer Mark Bairstow.

The nine-year-old finished half-a-length in front of the Peter and Matt Giadresco-trained Prentice in what was essentially a two-horse race, with third place finishing eight lengths behind the first two across the line.

Toned hit the turn in first and held on strong from a fast finishing Prentice, with jockey Danny Miller once again holding the chestnut stallion well down the straight to claim victory.

Bairstow said after two-consecutive wins, Toned still had plenty of racing left in him.

“Unfortunately the program does not cater for his type of horse,” he said.

“He is 100 per cent sound and healthy.

“We will just have to try to pick out a race at some stage.”

Bairstow said Toned had jumped to the lead earlier than expected, but he was pleased with how he performed down the straight.

“It was not the easiest of races but he fought it out until the finish,” he said.

“It was pleasing for the old fella as he is still racing well.”

The victory was Toned’s 12th from 109 starts, but his second in less than a month after Miller and the stallion won the $12,000 Toyota Moora Cup (1800m) on Saturday, October 14.