Lightly-raced stayer Permit staked his claim for a Sydney Cup campaign in the autumn after overcoming some anxious moments in the straight to win at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old had the box-seat run during the Action Business Coach Handicap (2400m) but jockey Hugh Bowman was forced to wait patiently in behind a wall of horses until well into the straight.
When Bowman was finally able to get Permit into the clear inside the final 150 metres, the gelding picked up quickly despite carrying 59kg and reeled in his rivals in impressive fashion.
Permit ($4.20) defeated Planetarium ($11) by three-quarters of a length with another 1-3/4 lengths to favourite Peck ($3.40) who hit the front in the straight.
The former European galloper joined Waller’s team from Mike Moroney last year and his Rosehill victory was his second from three starts for his new stable.
“I was worried the race was getting out of my reach but I couldn’t panic, I just had to wait for somewhere to go,” Bowman said.
“I had no option but to wait there (in behind horses) and when Kerrin McEvoy’s horse (Peck) couldn’t go on it was just a matter of getting out and getting him balanced and then he picked up well.”
Bowman believes the stayer is deserving of being aimed at some nice staying handicaps in the autumn.
“It was moderate opposition today but I would think he could be up to genuine top-class handicaps over autumn,” Bowman said.
Waller was at the Gold Coast but stable foreman Peter Muscutt said races like the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) could be on the radar.
Waller won the Sydney Cup at Randwick last year with Stand To Gain.
“I’m not quite sure what Chris will do but hopefully he’ll head towards the autumn,” Muscutt said.
“A race like the Sydney Cup and things like that might well be his target.”
AAP TURF
