Imported stayer Naval Warfare has backed up his last-start win with a first stakes success in the New Year’s Day Cup at Randwick.
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has had much success with tried horses sourced from Europe, sometimes at a high level but more often in lower tier races.
Waller admits they are the backbone of the stable in the off season and Naval Warfare is an example of the type of horse who can give his owners a return on their money.
“He is in his second preparation with us,” Waller said.
“He did race in the Brisbane Cup as a colt. He is now a gelding and a happier horse for it.
“It’s nice to win big races but he is an example of the horses who keep the system going.”
Tuesday’s Listed race was the second time Naval Warfare had raced over 2400m, the other being the 2018 McKell Cup in which he finished second to Destiny’s Kiss, one of his rivals again.
The race was reduced to five runners with the scratchings of Our Century and Go One More.
Naval Warfare was the $1.45 favourite after his win at Warwick Farm last Saturday week on a wet track.
Corey Brown put Naval Warfare behind the leaders Dashing Special and Just Dylan and produced him at the 600m.
He lengthened stride and and had the race won a fair way out, going to the line 6-1/4 lengths ahead of Earth Angel with Destiny’s Kiss another four lengths third after suffering interference near the turn.
“I ran second to him at Warwick Farm on a soft track,” Brown said.
“On top of the ground he was electric for the last 600 metres.
“He put them to the sword and really lengthened on top of the ground.”
Waller gave much of the credit for the win to Brown who was also successful on Seles for the stable in a 1250m-sprint.
“It was a pretty clever ride by Corey,” he said.
“I expected him to lead but Corey summed up the race perfectly.”
