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By Ray Hickson

He’s the horse that doesn’t know when he’s beaten and Braidwood trainer Luke Clarke sees no reason why Testator Silens can’t add the Newhaven Park Country Championships Final to his record after a stirring win at Nowra.

Trainer Luke Clarke (Pic: Steve Hart)

The emerging four-year-old took his record to five wins and a third from six starts with a last stride victory in the $150,000 Newhaven Park South East Country Championships (1400m) after jumping from an outside gate.

Clarke initially thought his charge would down in a close photo as he made his run with runner-up To The Nines to reel in leader Blue Missile but Testator Silens, as he continues to do, refused to be beaten.

“I thought 'yeah he ran well he ran third', but I’m stoked for everyone. It’s great,’’ Clarke said.

“After 400m when he got in fifth I knew he’d put in, that’s what he is.

“Why can’t he (win the Final). Look what he’s done, he’s had six starts for five wins and did it hard every time so no reason why he couldn’t.”

Testator Silens moved to equal second favourite with TAB at $8 for the $500,000 Final at Randwick on April 2 behind Northern Rivers winner Far Too Easy ($4.50). To The Nines is on the $51 line.

Clarke said he’s not sure yet how he’ll bridge the gap to April 2 but wouldn’t be bothered if the horse didn’t have another run before Day 1 of The Star Championships.

“We ticked the 1400m box off today, he’s tough and good winded and sound as a bell. We’ll work it out,’’ he said.

“He’s tough and arrogant, he just wants to get on with the job and he loves it. He’s big and strong and that’s why he’s good.”

Jockey Jean Van Overmeire won his second South East Country Championships following a win on Julian Rock in 2020 and he said giving away a length in the early stages to avoid being trapped wide was the difference between winning and losing.

The win also erased any doubts he had about the gelding’s ability to run a strong 1400m getting the job done eight days after overcoming another wide alley to win a Highway at Randwick.

“He’s obviously got a lot of talent but all credit to Luke, he’s a great horseman,’’ he said.

“He said 1400m would be no drama although I had my slight doubts. We got a nice run in the race and he just travelled beautifully. The back up was just ideal for him. On what he showed there he’s quite promising.”

Goulburn trainer Tash Burleigh was delighted to qualify another horse for the Country Championships Final and says To The Nines has a sense of timing about him.

Testator Silens wins the SERA Country Championships at Nowra

Burleigh was narrowly denied in the 2020 Final when Al Mah Haha was nosed out by Gracie Belle and she said with this gelding she’s been patient and it’s starting to pay off.

“We wanted to take him last year but it was way too soon for the horse,’’ she said.

“He still has a lot of maturing to do and I’m glad he’s made to this year. We always hoped this horse could make it to the Country Championships and we’re going, so it’s good.”

She said there are options for To The Nines between now and the Final, as he’s a horse that prefers to be on the fresh side, and could have a race or just a trial or jump out at home.

All the results and replays from Sunday's Nowra meeting