Metal Bender has upstaged a star-studded field to win the $400,000 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Aided by a precise ride from Michael Rodd, Metal Bender defeated Victorian galloper Rekindled Interest in a blanket finish involving five runners.
“The only place I wanted to go was along the fence. I could see everything opening up in front of me,” Rodd said.
“All I could see was green lights everywhere I went.”
In a race which changed complexion over the final 100 metres, Metal Bender’s head bobbed at the right time to give trainer Chris Waller a Golden Slipper day Group One.
“Full credit has to go to Chris Waller,” Rodd said.
“He always gets these horses to back up and run well and he did it again today.”
Two-time Group One winner Secret Admirer finished third, just ahead of New Zealand star King Mufhasa, showing she is on target for the Doncaster Mile.
