FORTY Twenty claimed the second Group race of his career with a hard-fought victory in the $36,000 Group 2 Maidment Memorial at Sandown Park last Thursday night.

Having his second start at Sandown Park, Forty Twenty ($5.10) showed great track sense to rail strongly after a poor start and took up second position behind favourite Next Top Model ($1.60) as they entered the home straight the first time.

Forty Twenty continued to rail, taking the lead as Join The Queue ($37.70) made his run. The Central Coast stayer, however, never left the rail in the run to the line and defeated Next Top Model by 2.75 lengths in 42.45.

"To race here at Sandown Park at such a great track is a huge thrill," said ecstatic trainer John Heard.

The win was Forty Twenty's second at Group level and took his career earnings to almost $120,000.

Earlier in the night, Jason Thompson's exciting youngster Shredded Cheese took out the $14,500 GOTBA Cup in a slick 29.88.