Nine Tales won the Group 3 Race-Tech Stakes (1500m) at Betfair Park at Sandown on Saturday, breaking a feature-race drought for trainer Mick Price and jockey Craig Newitt.

Nine Tales ($6) fought back after finding himself towards the tail end of the pack until the straight, where he ran hard to surpass the pacemaker Jungle King ($13). The gallant grey Jungle King hung on for second place three-quarters-of-a-length away in a stunning photo finish to close third placegetter Itsamonty ($14) a further nose back.

It was the first big race victory for Price and Newitt since their Underwood Stakes win at Caulfield with Heart Of Dreams back in September.

The victory for the ever maturing and improving five-year-old brings Nine Tales’ record to six wins from 20 career starts for stakes earnings over $230 000. It was Nine Tales first win in stakes class and will have a substantial increase to the value of his dam for owner-breeder John Hoare.