Consecutive wins...12 months apart!

PATIENCE proved to be a virtue with Sweet Strike on Monday.

Returning from a 12-month absence, Sweet Strike completed an eye-catching win at Club Menangle.

What made the victory all-the-more impressive is it was only the five-year-old's second start!

Sweet Strike made his debut on November 25, 2024 with a 1:55 win in Goulburn.

Trainer Paul Fitzpatrick explained the gelding's latest stint on the sidelines was part of a long list of issues connections have endured.

"He's had so many individual issues," Fitzpatrick said. "After his first run he got a sore back, which took eight months to get over.

"He was never a trouble getting going, and has always shown some pretty nice ability, but he just keeps going sore.

"It's always different things...just one individual problem after another.

"On quite a few issues he's been ready to race, but kept going sore. Never in his legs though, just everything else!"

Showing no signs of soreness earlier this week, Sweet Strike was sent forward from barrier eight by Cameron Fitzpatrick to find the front as early leader, Heidsieck, was eased to take a trail.

Striding clear along the home straight, the son of Sweet Lou covered the mile in 1:54.2 as Heidsieck and Hykeepmeposted filled the placings.

"As I said, we've always had an opinion of him," Fitzpatrick said. "He'd had a couple of trials and been working great, so we expected him to go well.

"The most pleasing part is he has pulled up fine and is likely to go around again next week."