Sydney castoff Riva De Lago was able to score an upset win when he downed the favourite Time For War in the Listed $175,000 HMR Projects Pty Ltd Glasshouse Handicap (1300m) at the Sunshine Coast today.

Riva De Lago scores upset win in Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Time For War ($3.20 favourite) had to work hard from gate fourteen in the seventeen horse field when jockey Jim Byrne tried to cross the field but he never found the fence and had to sit outside of Grayson Square ($31).

Byrne then let Time For War skip to a clear lead at the 250m but his early hard work took its toll and Riva De Lago ($26) was able to claim victory close to the line.

Toowoomba sprinter Pillar Of Creation ($14) ran up to his Weetwood Handicap second, running home late for third.

Riva De Lago had done most of his racing under the care of Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller before being transferred to top Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote who has been in charge of the seven year old since December last year.

The Encosta De Lago gelding was having his fifth run for Heathcote and was able to score his first win since taking out the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in September, 2013.

Winning jockey Luke Nolen had Riva De Lago settled in the middle of the pack before sneaking up along the inside to get the better of Time Fore War over the final fifty metres.

Time For War was having his second run for Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick and today’s second followed his first up second for the stable in the Group 3 $125,000 Attwood Marshall Lawyers Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Anzac Day.

Kiwi sprinter Allez Eagle ($5.50) came in for some solid support and was given a good run by Timothy Bell in third spot just behind the leaders but faded in the straight to miss a place.