The Milton Meats Handicap at Rosehill Gardens has been run and won and as expected it’s gone to trainer John O’Shea.

What wasn’t expected though is that it would be Warpath claiming the victory with the heavily back favourite Glintz just picking up third.

Before the race the stable spokesman said that to be any chance Warpath needed a bit of luck and would need to take cover while Glintz would probably go forward and take up the pace.

That’s exactly what happened from the gates with Warpath slotting in just back of the middle on the rail with Glintz setting the pace up front.

Also towards the front were Trader and the long shot Colour Purple.

The field was as much as four wide when making the turn but Warpath waited patiently for a run with Glintz fighting on and Trader probably getting the run of the race.

As they came down the straight Warpath moved wide and found space with Glintz holding pace at best and Trader never really kicking on.

With a few hundred to go Warpath hit the front in a battle with surprise packet Colour Purple which was running an exceptional race in front of Glintz.

That’s the way it stayed as they crossed the line with Warpath winning comfortably in front of Colour Purple at big place odds and Glintz steady as she goes in third.

It’s a very impressive run from the mare showing good patience and late speed and it opens the doors for a big year ahead.

Connections are likely to stick around the mile distance with no shortage of upcoming events tailored for a run of that nature.

Glintz will disappoint a lot of punters but didn’t run a bad race while Colour Purple is back from absolutely nowhere.

Trader rounded out the first four.

Luxbet Results

• 1st #8           Warpath            $9.30
• 2nd #11      Colour Purple        $9.30
• 3rd #6           Glintz                   $1.10

Photo courtesy (c) Steve Hart Photographics