Godolphin gelding Flow could be in line for a return to stakes grade after making a successful racing comeback at Rosehill.
Almost 12 months after he secured his only black type through a third in the Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas, the four-year-old lobbied for a step up by claiming a tight finish in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.
Flow, the $4 joint favourite with third placegetter New Universe, shaded Invinzabeel ($5) by half a neck after drawing a wide gate with Glyn Schofield.
New Universe was a short neck off Invinzabeel.
“It was a tough effort. It’s not easy to win these benchmark-95s, they nearly have a different winner every week,” Godolphin assistant trainer Darren Beadman said.
Flow managed to cross with ease from a wide alley and set the tempo before proving too strong for the chasers.
“That gate suited his pattern of racing. He did a little bit of work to get across and when he was able to get in front, he was able to switch off nicely and get a cheap sectional for a couple of furlongs,” Beadman said.
“He kicked nicely on the corner and held them off.”
Beadman admitted Flow’s eagerness could be counterproductive and curbing it was a work in progress.
“If you can harness that enthusiasm he has in the early stages, he could go to the next level,” he said.
Schofield said he had a smooth ride once Flow gathered momentum.
“He a roller and once he got to the front he found enough when challenged,” he said.
