He was a touch disappointing on debut a fortnight ago but the Godolphin two-year-old Outspan ($3.30F) has put his hand up for greater riches with a dominant display in the opening contest at Rosehill.
After settling just behind the early leader over the 1100m event, the Michael Freedman-prepared colt proved too strong for the fast-finishing Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths with Miss Chanel ($4.60) a further 1/2-length back in third place.
Stable representative Sophie Johnson was happy with the son of Bivouac’s progression and believes there is further improvement in store.
“It was really good to see, he came on a lot from last start and Sam (Clipperton) was able to get him into a perfect position just behind the leader,” Johnson said post-race.
“He settled really well and was able to come up off heels and finish off strong.
“He was a bit wayward last start, it’s definitely put a lot of confidence into him going into today.
“But he seems to have put it all together.”
The win takes his earnings over the $110,000 mark which moves him up the order for the Golden Slipper, but Johnson said the stable is taking it one day at a time.
“We’ll just see how he continues through the preparation, but he’s doing everything right so far, he’s going in the right direction.”
“You don’t want to push these young horses, if you do too much with them too soon it can go the other way.
“It’s a day-by-day thing with the younger ones, you just have to take it as it comes.
“Michael gets back next week so we’ll go from there.”
Hoop Clipperton was happy to atone for last start and was hopeful his mount could get over even further.
“He had a beautiful educational run last start, I was a bit flat on myself because I thought I got it wrong,” Clipperton said.
“But in the end it turned out to be a lovely grounding for the horse for him to bounce off into today.
“He’s pretty sharp, but I do feel six furlongs and probably even seven furlongs will be right up his alley.
“He’s a classy colt and he’s in the right camp too to get him further down the road.”
The win saw Outspan shorten into $34 with the TAB for the Golden Slipper to be run at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
