Free Agent: proclaimed a "proper stayer" after grinding out victory

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Hughes double as Free Agent wins for Queen

Report: Salisbury, Thursday

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing "Persian Punch" Conditions Stakes (Class 2) 1m6f, 3yo+

FREE AGENT provided Richard Hughes with a double on the card as the Queen's runner had the final say in a final-furlong tussle with odds-on-favourite La De Two.

With only five runners, the contest always had the potential todevelop into a tactical affair, and it was the outsider of the two Godolphin runners, Peligroso, who cut out the early running with stablemate La De Two in second.

Free Agent was tucked against the rail under Richard Hughes while Bauer, making his first start in 667 days after finishing second in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, sat last under William Buick.

There was little change as the field went out to the back of the track, but turning back in Richard Hills began to stretch out the pace with over six furlongs left, as Hughes moved Free Agent into second.

With half a mile left the move looked inspired as Peligroso continued to swing along up front with his four rivals all at work.

Richard Hughes: rode a double

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

However, Peligroso's stamina eventually gave out with a furlong left to race, leaving Free Agent and La De Two to do battle, with Hughes taking the prize on the four-year-old by a head.

John Warren, racing manager to the Queen, said: "He looked booked for second but he's really becoming a proper stayer. He kept finding more and galloped all the way to the line."

Bauer trailed in last for William Buick, beaten a distance.