Just a day after 2010 Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily dropped dead in a jumpout at Flemington, her half-brother Amaethon scored an emotional win in the Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield.
The Al Maher five-year-old had some of his connections in tears as he returned to scale following his first black-type success, having gone one better than last year when he was four lengths second to Avenue in the 1200m Listed sprint.
Like his brilliant younger sister, Amaethon is out of the Snippets mare Crystal Snip and was bred and is part-raced by David and Jenny Moodie’s Contract Racing Syndicate.
They race him with Nick Psaltis, who was also a part-owner of Crystal Lily, along with several other partners including Ellerton Zahra Racing Syndicate.
“He’s obviously come up really well. I thought Chris (Symons) had him too far back in the run but he ended up winning really well,” said co-trainer Mat Ellerton who prepares the gelding with his cousin Simon Zahra.
“He looks stronger and more robust this time round so hopefully he can go on with it.”
“We’ll head towards (Melbourne) Cup week with him and see if he can sneak into a better handicap.”
Amaethon ($19) came from sixth on the home turn and finished strongly to win by 1-1/4 lengths from the well-backed topweight First Command ($5.50 to $4.20 fav).
Phelan Ready ($7.50), who hasn’t won since his victory in the 2009 Golden Slipper, ran an encouraging race to come from last to be a half-length away third.
“I got all the runs which really helped. I didn’t want to get there too early on him and he did the rest,” Symons said.
Amaethon, who has raced 21 times for four wins and nine placings, has a liking for Caulfield where he has raced nine times for two wins and five placings.
AAP TURF
