Outstanding colt Helmet claimed his third Group One feature when he dug deep to score a courageous win in the $1 million Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
Ridden aggressively by Kerrin McEvoy from his outside alley in the 1600m event, Helmet sped three lengths clear at the 800m and showed great tenacity in the straight to hold off the challenge of Manawanui who had relegated him to third in the Group One Golden Rose in Sydney two starts ago.
Peter Snowden trained Helmet wins the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas - Photo by Steve Hart
Huegill was third.
Helmet claimed the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes-Champagne Stakes Group One double as a two-year-old and Saturday’s win took his record to six wins and three placings from just nine starts for prize money of nearly $1.5 million.
But trainer Peter Snowden, when congratulated on the win by “Australia’s best colt”, begged to differ.
“He’s the second best, Sepoy’s the best I think,” he said of the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper winner.
Of Helmet, he said: “The amount of improvement he’s made in the last month is unbelievable.”
McEvoy described Helmet as “an exceptionable talent”.
“He’s done that in fourth gear, so to speak,” he said.
“When he switches on and does everything right he’s got breathtaking ability.
AAP TURF
