John Sadler lands early Flemington double

Jockey Ben Melham rides Superhard to victory first-up for trainer John Sadler at Flemington.

Trainer John Sadler joked after landing the opening two races at Flemington that his best chance was still to come.

Sadler won Saturday’s KIIS 101.1 Jase & P J Sprint with Superhard who cruised to an easy win before Simply Invincible landed a last stride win in the World Horse Racing Trophy.

The final of Sadler’s trio of Flemington runners was outsider Usain Bowler in the Group One Newmarket Handicap.

Sadler was impressed with Superhard’s victory at his first start for the stable after stints with Robert Smerdon, Henry Dwyer and Darren Weir.

Smerdon and Weir are serving disqualifications for racing indiscretions while Sadler said Superhard had problems when under the care of Dwyer.

“He had a couple of very good trainers train him before but unfortunately they’re on the sidelines now,” Sadler said.

“I said before the race that I’ve never had a horse come to me in better condition than what he did and I really appreciated that.

“That (win) didn’t surprise, but I couldn’t give the owners a real push because I didn’t know him well enough.”

Included in the ownership group is former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting.

Sadler is undecided on where the gelding will head following Saturday’s success.

“I reckon we’ll put him over a short course again and then see whether we go up in journey,” Sadler said.

“If the 1400 metres is good for him, I’m looking at possibly the Victoria Handicap at Easter with him.”

Sadler said Simply Invincible had struck a purple patch of form and if he continues in the same vein could also head to the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.