Winner of the Group II Skyline Stakes last season at two, the handsome Artie Schiller (USA) colt Good Standing broke through for his first win this term in Saturday's $500,000 Group III Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic (2000m).
The James Cummings-trainee led all the way under Blake Shinn to defeat the strong-finishing Rocketeer (Smart Missile) by three-quarters of a length with Inference (So You Think) one length further away third. (photos Grant Courtney).
Shinn said he took up the running by default.
"He gave me a great ride, at the 600 (
"He pretty much ambled to the front, I didn't really want to lead into this wind but I got gifted it.
"He was the best horse in the race and I was confident I could lead into the headwind. He's got a great turn of foot and he's mixed it with the best three-year-olds around.
"He was just too good today and he will be better again in the autumn."
The
He is entered in the Victoria Derby but Cummings said he is no certainty to run.
"He's a beautiful type and it's good to see him win a race like this," Cummings said.
"We've got a couple of options. He's in the Derby but I'm also interested in giving him three weeks between races and running him in the 2000
"He'll have no weight and if a few horses are off to the paddock and give it a miss we might go there."
Good Standing is the second foal and second winner for the 3-time Sydney winner Elahi (Giant's Causeway) who is a daughter of the outstanding Tempest Morn (Thunder Gulch) whose four wins included the Group 1 STC Ansett Australia Stakes and Group 1 SAJC South Australian Oaks.
Elahi has a 2yo filly by Your Song named Envy Of All. She slipped her foal by Hallowed Crown last spring after missing to Smart Missile the previous season.
Emirate Park Stud's Breeders' Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller (USA) is standing his first season in the Hunter Valley this season where he will cover a full book at a fee of $22,000.
