Bookmakers were smiling, and Jason Petch had good reason to join in, after the easy win of Weekend Special in the 1000 metres of the Aspen Handicap.

Petch, in fact, had better reason to smile than the bookies, as it was his first training success at Flemington, joining him was his wife, Lyn, and baby daughter, Lucy.

The gelding was the outsider in the field of nine after the late scratchings of Melba and Smoken Cash, resulting from a down grading of the track.

Weekend Special was never far away at any stage of the race, he began to apply the pressure 400 metres out, drawing right away in the concluding stages to win rather easily

Weekend Special runs away with the Aspen Handicap.

He has been pretty handy in most of his recent racing without winning, he is now putting it all together, while he holds his current form there is another win or two in the offering.

Petch has put together quite a workable training complex at Mornington; he has good facilities, just ideal for man and beast.

Weekend Special was a welcome return to city riding for young jockey Adam McCabe, he is not receiving the opportunities his ability deserves, he did nothing wrong on Weekend Special, 10 out of 10 sums it up well

Jason, Lucy and Lyn, satisfied wirh the win.