From the outside barrier Clark was content to allow Chetwood to settle into
stride before rolling forward and crossing to lead after 300-metres.Racing away from the inside rail, Chetwood ($2.80 fav) lifted the tempo into the home straight and kept going strongly, always looking the winner to defeat the game topweight Le Romain ($3.70) by 1 1/2-lengths with Famous Seamus ($31) a head away third.
Clark told Sky Thoroughbred Central advice from James McDonald proved crucial.
"I spoke to James and he said the first two furlongs are vital. If I can get them right the horse will do the rest,” Clark said.
"I was always going to lead but it was just a matter of getting there when I wanted to. Once he got there he gave me a good ride and gave me a good kick,
"He's a deceptive horse - he's broken 34 (seconds) home and doesn't feel like he's going that quick. He's got a massive stride and he'll keep racing his way through the grades,”
A four-year-old son of Exceed And Excel, Chetwood has won all three starts this preparation and Clark said is open to further improvement.
"He's a progressive young horse with plenty of upside. He's got a great racing style and that was a solid performance up against some classy gallopers,” Clark said.
"He showed good determination, the track is not really suiting him, having to get out wide it's definitely playing into the hands of the swoopers and I think that makes the win even better.”
Chetwood is a homebred for Godolphin by Exceed and Excel out of Eldarin, by Marauding.
He is the fifth winner from six to race for his dam who has also left Group Three winner Mearas (NJC Spring Stakes) and the stakes placed Sindarin.
It is one of the more versatile families in the studbook, with Eldarin's full-brother Drum winning the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), her half-sister Anamato (Redoute's Choice) winning the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks and another half-sister Tambour is the dam of multiple Group One mile winner and champion older horse in 2005, Grand Armee.
