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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Former Victorian pacer Withoutthetuh has generally been regarded as a smart frontrunner. But in recent times he has discovered a winning formula in standing-start events — as a sit-sprinter.

He was a $17.70 chance from barrier five on the front line in the Simmonds Steel Handicap over 2096m at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Michael Grantham quickly manoeuvred him into second place behind the noted frontrunner Gee Smith ($2.90).

Grantham patiently bided his time until he eased Withoutthetuh off the pegs about 300m from home, and the four-year-old sprinted fast to burst to the front and go on and win from $3.80 second fancy Glenledi Chief, who was fifth in the one-out, one-back position at the bell before finishing determinedly. Gee Smith held on for third, with the $2.80 favourite finishing fifth after galloping at the start.

This win was almost a carbon copy of Withoutthetuh’s previous appearance in a 2096m stand four starts earlier, when he trailed the pacemaker Nearis Green and finished strongly (on the inside) to snatch a nose victory from that pacer.

Withoutthetuh, a winner at two of his six Victorian starts, has been an excellent performer for Coolup trainer Michael Brennan, with his 31 WA starts producing ten wins and 12 placings.

By Courage Under Fire, Withoutthetuh is out of Always Lacking, who managed four wins from 49 starts.