STANLEY “Sam Pookie” Findlay, the 1987 veteran 2000 Guineas winning trainer, returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time this season after saddling Rising Bop to victory in an Optional Claiming encounter for ($450,000-$400,000)/NB five-year-old and upward (NW4) going one mile (1,600m) for a purse of $720,000.

Well ridden by claiming apprentice Reyan Lewis, Rising Bop completed his first win as a five-year-old after finishing 1,600 metres in a time of 1:42.0 to recover from an earlier setback 10 days ago when the roan gelded son of Rising Moon failed to live up to his 7/5 favouritism going 1,400 metres.

On this occasion though, Rising Bop, the joint 2-1 betting option led from the off and was never headed as when seriously challenged for parity in mid-stretch by Danos La Paz (Omar Walker) also a (2-1) bet, Rising Bop found extra before going on to win by 1 ¼ at the wire.

Burlin skimmed the inside rails to finish third at 46-1 with claiming apprentice, Raddesh Roman.

Findlay, the former conditioner of Monday Morning whom he trained to win the 2000 Guineas in 1987, has not been entering the winners’ enclosure as frequently as he once did, said in his post-race interview: “This win was welcoming. I enjoyed the horse’s performance as it was one that was well overdue. Rising Bop is a horse that is nicely bred to perform at a much higher level than he is doing at the present time.”

How difficult is it to train Rising Bop?

“Well, you have to do what you have to. You have to take time. You don’t have to rush him. Racehorses do not train overnight. You have to take the time and prepare him to get the best results and I am happy with him and pleased with his performance today (Saturday, April 6),” Findlay said with his usual candour.