Emerging stayer Tremec has survived a protest to post an important stakes win at Warwick Farm ahead of a possible tilt at the Sydney Cup.
The four-year-old son of super sire of stayers Zabeel, won Saturday’s Listed Randwick Stakes (2200m) by a half head from Permit with veteran Gazza Guru another length away third.
Tremec - Photo by Steve Hart
Permit’s rider Hugh Bowman lodged an objection against Christian Reith for shifting out at the home turn, arguing the topweight had lost valuable momentum.
However stewards agreed with Reith the incident was minor and that Permit had had ample time in the straight to pick up the winner who is raced by Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm.
Stable foreman Andre Rabbett said the four-year-old, who had backed up from his second to Award Season over the same distance a week earlier, held an entry to the Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 27.
“We’re dreaming of the Sydney Cup but there’s a long way to go,” Rabbett said.
“He has to step up again but I think the further he goes the better.
“I think he was looking for 2400 metres today. We gave him an easy week because he was backing up.”
The Chris Waller-trained Permit, who carried 59kg, 5kg more than the winner, is also on a Sydney Cup path.
The former French horse fell in last year’s Cup and his best performance since has been a second to Glencadam Gold in the Premier’s Cup in the spring.
