The Chris Waller-trained Boban has capitalised on a late rails run to win the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
In taking his tally of Group One wins to five, Boban overcame jockey Glyn Schofield’s concerns he wouldn’t be at his best on a rain-affected to track to defeat Entirely Platinum and Stratum Star.
“When the rain fell this morning the track was going to be a worry,” Schofield said.
Sent out favourite at $5.50, Bobab settled midfield on the inside but he never got into the finish until the race was almost over.
“Gee, the last 100 metres he lifted,” Schofield said. “He saw where the winning post was and he really wanted to get there.
“He gave me a super ride and he actually settled a lot further forward than I thought he would. He put himself there.”
It was a stirring finish to the first Group One race of the Australian racing with Boban getting the decision by a half head from Entirely Platinum ($9.50) which made the running and was pressured from the middle stages.
Stratum Star ($8) came from a trailing position just off the speed to finish only a nose away third.