Written by Paul Vettise
Speedy 3-year-old Tin Hat (Helmet) leaves nothing to chance in his races and his front-running style has seen him open his black type account at Caulfield to remain undefeated on his current campaign.
He was gelded during his time off and he has come back in terrific style and went to another level on Saturday when he ran his rivals into the deck in the G3 Ladbrokes Manfred S.
The James Cummings-trained representative made all in front and he glided clear 200 metres from home with a commanding performance and one that suggested he is capable of attaining higher honours this time in.
“To get a Group win is beyond our dreams.” – Kate Grimwade.
“The gelding operation certainly did the trick and he’s been so consistent this preparation,” stable representative Kate Grimwade said.
“To get a Group win is beyond our dreams. We thought he would get one, but not during this preparation.”
Tin Hat was relentless at Caulfield where he crossed the field from a wide gate and was never troubled thereafter.
“He’s got a big stride on him and it was only his third run this time in,” Grimwade said. “He’s peaking in training and he looks fantastic.”
Tin Hat brought up a black type double for rider Damian Lane, who had earlier been aboard the impressive debutant Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible), who said he was confident of victory a fair way out.
“He’s got a high cruising speed and he was too strong. It was very satisfying.” – Damian Lane.
“He was rock hard fit and he’s progressing well. His attitude at the moment is great as well. He was third-up and I used that to my advantage. I let him dictate and set his own pace.
“He’s got a high cruising speed and he was too strong. It was very satisfying.”
Tin Hat crossed the line with a length and a-quarter to spare on Halvorsen (Magnus) with Poised To Strike (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) taking third.
Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt) finished an encouraging fourth in her return after a spring campaign that netted her Group 1 placings in the Thousand Guineas and the Empire Rose S.
Winning home track treble
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace enjoyed a red letter day on their home track with Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) completing a black type double for the stable when he upset the hot pot Written By (Written Tycoon) in the Listed Polytrack WJ Adams S.
Earlier, his stablemate Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) made a cracking debut to win the G3 Ladbrokes Chairman’s S. while Naantali (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) was successful in the John Moule H.
Ridden by Linda Meech, Bons Away was in behind the leader Written By at the top of the straight and a rails run gave him the opportunity to head off the favourite, which he duly did.
“It’s very satisfying. He had a slightly frustrating preparation last time. He went to every dance and just got pipped in a couple,” Maher said.
“He’s come back super and Linda does a great job for the stable. He’ll go to the Oakleigh Plate and back to handicap conditions will suit him.”
“He’ll go to the Oakleigh Plate and back to handicap conditions will suit him.” – Ciaron Maher.
Written By’s trainer Grahame Begg was far from disappointed with his colt’s performance and is looking forward to a rematch with Bons Away.
“He’ll improve and there’s three weeks to go to the Oakleigh,” he said. “He’ll drop significantly in weight so he’ll certainly get his opportunity.”
