Smokin’ Joey just edged out race favourite Pago Rock to take top billings in the Listed $100,000 Super Saturday Stakes at Flemington today.

In what was the last race of a Super Saturday of racing at the famous Flemington track, the Anthony Freedman trained gelding and short $2.70 favourite Pago Rock battled hard down the final straight.

Smokin’ Joey poked his nose in front with about twenty metres to go and was good enough to hold on to record his third ever career victory.

It was a sensational ride from jockey Craig Newitt who managed to keep the often frustrating horse focused to run down a quality horse in Pago Rock.

Trainer Freedman expressed relief at the four-year-old claiming victory today.

“He’s been a frustrating horse for us and the punters and everyone,” he said.

“He might have turned a corner and we’ve sort of got him in to a good frame of mind.

Freedman was particularly pleased with the horse’s ability to stay strong and run down Pago Rock.

“He ran down a fair horse and had to fight for the win,” Freedman said.

“It wasn’t presented to him, the other horse didn’t stop.

“It sort of suggests he had to tough it out and is sort of wanting to win now.”

Seven-year-old gelding Life To The Full, a David and Scott Brunton trained horse, took third place honours in the Listed event.