Former UK galloper Super Titus is starting to provide a glimpse of why lofty expectations have been placed upon him, landing his second Australian victory at Flemington.
Super Titus appreciated a distance rise to 2000m on Saturday, winning the Lexus Trophy to provide Lindsay Park with a treble and jockey Luke Nolen a double.
In a race that changed complexion over the final 200m, Super Titus ($16) proved too strong for Mahamedeis ($31) by a short-head with Chapada ($11) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Super Titus won the Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield last spring, giving Lindsay Park hope the gelding could measure up as a Caulfield Cup proposition.
However, he failed to live up to those aspirations and this time around Lindsay Park has taken a more low-key approach.
They also made changes to his race day gear, adding ear muffs which co-trainer Ben Hayes attributes to the gelding’s consistent form.
“He’s been racing well this prep, just getting too far back and flashing home,” Hayes said.
“The big thing with him was getting him to settle and since we’ve put the hood on he’s really relaxed.
“It was really good to see him jump well, get closer, present and finish off.”
Hayes said there was no immediate plans for Super Titus.
“But I know there’s a lot of lovely races at Flemington over 2000 metres coming up,” Hayes said.