Lightly raced two-year-old Raffles Pegasus is set to make his mark in better races after posting his first win in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes at Flemington.
Trained by Danny O’Brien, the son of Fusaichi Pegasus impressed jockey Glen Boss with his tenacity to land Monday’s 1400m event by a half length from Nordic Duke and Win For Layla.
Placed at three of his previous five starts, Raffles Pegasus was having his first test beyond 1200 metres, and promises to be even better once he gets to 1600.
“We’ve always been thinking that horse will be at his best at a mile,” said assistant trainer Gerard Tesoriero.
“Early in his prep he was still green but the application of blinkers has helped and 1400 metres was a nice trip for him today.
“He’s had a long prep and it was the icing on the cake to win a stakes race.”
He said the Gibson Carmichael Stakes (1600m) would be his next run at Flemington on May 21.
The Anzac Day Stakes has been the springboard for a number of Group One winning careers including that of VRC and AJC Australian Oaks winner Grand Archway, SA Derby winner Celtic Spirit, and Futurity Stakes winner Rustic Dream.
Others victorious in the race include Craiglee Stakes winner Confectioner, Victoria Derby runner-up Extra Zero and Adelaide Cup runner-up Double Gin.
Raffles Pegasus is one of four horses Dato Yap’s Raffles Thoroughbred Racing group has in training with O’Brien.
Yap has also bought in to AJC Australian Derby winner Shamrocker.
Boss predicted a bright future for Raffles Pegasus who still has a tendency to wait for horses when he gets to the front.
“Today when he put a gap in them at the furlong (200m) it felt like he idled back but when he heard other horses coming he actually got into another gear and got going again,” Boss said.
“There is more scope for improvement and at a mile he will go up another gear for sure.”
AAP TURF
