The Chris Waller stable made the right decision in electing to send Ranch Hand to Melbourne with the Fastnet Rock colt scoring at Flemington.
Ranch Hand was also an acceptor in the Group 2 Run To The Rose at Kembla Grange on Saturday, but Waller chose to send the three-year-old south for the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m).
Waller also had Shaquero in at Flemington but elected to keep that colt for the Sydney contest.
Overcoming a difficult passage under Brett Prebble, Ranch Hand ($14) scored by a head from the $2 favourite Ingratiating with Lloyd’s Crown ($26) two lengths away third.
The victory provided Waller with back-to-back victories in the Poseidon Stakes after September Run was successful last year.
Jo Taylor, in charge of the Waller team at Flemington, said the stable had made the right decision in sending Rand Hand to Melbourne.
“We obviously had a few horses in that race at Kembla Grange so we decided to split them up and send one down south,” Taylor said.
“We certainly are very appreciative of it, and it was clearly the right decision.
“The plan was to just make sure he got cover and he did things right. Having a look at the straight for the first time, sometimes they can get a little bit lost.
“We had a few hairy moments. We thought he wasn’t going to get the run but he was very tough to the line when the opportunities presented.”
Prebble said Ranch Hand had to overcome a couple of traffic issues before scoring and described him as a really nice colt.
“My manager Liam (Prior) was really adamant that he’s a good horse with a really good turn-of-foot,” Prebble said.
“He was of the opinion that it might be a touch short form him but if they go quick enough, they’ll know he’s there.”
