Having his first start for seven weeks, the Darren Weir-trained Night’s Watch has finished strongly to win at Caulfield.
Night’s Watch had been flown to Brisbane late last month to run in the Shoot Out Quality at Doomben.
However, the four-year-old was scratched by stewards from the December 30 race because he was a late arrival on course.
He returned home to Victoria and stepped out in Saturday’s Cape Grim Beef Plate (2000m) for his first start since his fourth in the Werribee Cup on December 10.
After getting back to near last in the field of 10, Night’s Watch ($4.40) reeled his rivals in with a strong finish down the outside to defeat The Chairman ($5.50) by half a head, with Golden Mane ($7) another short half-head away.
“He’s definitely a very nice horse,” apprentice Ben Allen said.
“He’s better than the way he won today but it was a good win.
“He dawdles out of the gates so I didn’t want to bustle him for a spot because he’s just starting to settle well and do everything right.
“Off the slow tempo, he was just too good for them.
“I think in his next start, if he gets to the right race and there’s a good tempo, he’ll be better.”
Night’s Watch’s next start is expected to be in the Group Three Hobart Cup (2400m).
