The Chris Waller stable has landed its third consecutive win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington with outsider Japonisme.
Godolphin colt Exosphere was sent out an odds-on favourite but finished a disappointing fourth.
Waller said the victory carried special significance because he was sharing the Group One prize with the Ingham family.
Japonisme sported the Inghams’ famous cerise colours which have been carried to success in many major races over the past three decades, most notably by champions Octagonal and Lonhro.
After the Ingham family sold their breeding and racing interests to Darley in 2008 they gave Waller a small team of horses to train.
Japonisme’s win on Saturday was the first Group One win for the partnership.
Ridden by Glyn Schofield, Japonisme ($21) scored by 1-1/2 lengths from Keen Array ($13) with Counterattack ($11), a stablemate of the winner, three quarters of a length away third.
“It’s a huge thrill to have Bob Ingham at home watching,” Waller said.
“I spoke to him yesterday and he still loves it all.”
Waller had previously won the Coolmore with colts Zoustar and Brazen Beau and said Japonisme wouldn’t have added his name to the honour roll if he wasn’t a gelding.
The trainer said Japonisme would follow a similar path to Brazen Beau and would be spelled and aimed towards the Newmarket Handicap in the autumn.
Japonisme gave Waller his eighth Group One win for the season.
“We’ve got to pinch ourselves each and every time we get a winner during Cup week, let alone a Group One,” Waller said.
“It’s a special day in itself Derby day, and this is one of the iconic three-year-old races of the year.”
Schofield said Japonisme was a nuggety horse which took advantage of narrow run on the fence when Super One began to tire.
“When the field made their way across to the fence I was quite happy to be there,” Schofield said.
“He was a bit restricted for room but put his nose in … and strode away quite comfortably.”
James McDonald said the $1.60 favourite Exosphere was disappointing.
