The last time Naval Warfare won a race, the COVID pandemic was still a year away.
Two weeks after he was thrashed more than five lengths in a two-horse race, veteran gelding Naval Warfare has reversed the result on his last-start conqueror in an upset victory.
Having been winless for 3-1/2 years, the rising nine-year-old started the rank outsider of Wednesday's Furphy Handicap (2200m) at Warwick Farm, while the horse that beat him in the July 13 match race, The Milkybar Kid, went around as a $3.40 favourite.
But aided by a smart Jason Collett ride, Naval Warfare ($21) pounced on the leaders before the home turn and swept to the front, outstaying his rivals in the heavy conditions to defeat Marakopa ($5.50) by 2-1/4 lengths.
The Milkybar Kid finished third and more than seven lengths from the winner.
"All the accolades should go to Jason," winning trainer Ron Leemon said.
"He rode the perfect race.
"That's why you put Jason on. I think he is nearly our best rider, except for (James) McDonald, in Sydney."
The meeting was also significant for young Warwick Farm trainer Robert Quinn, who celebrated his first win at his home track when two-year-old Miyoshi edged out Godolphin youngster Aft Cabin in a photo finish.
Quinn believes the Miyoshi has a bright future and will eventually stretch to longer distances than the 1200m of Wednesday's race.
"Through the run, she gave me a bit of a scare, because she is just so casual about things, but you can see when that other horse (runner-up Aft Cabin) came to her, she stuck her neck out and lifted the whole way," Quinn said.
"It's early days yet but we hope she can get out over even more ground because she is so laidback. Hopefully that will be her biggest attribute, that she can stay."
Quinn just missed making it a winning double when Marakopa beat all but Naval Warfare a race later.
The brave Naval Warfare causes a big upset!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 27, 2022
Jason Collett making the early move and giving a brilliant ride for Ron Leemon. pic.twitter.com/4ooaCXXFXf
