One hundred years after Ebullition won the Newmarket Handicap without a lead-up run, Lindsay Park's rejuvenated gelding Redkirk Warrior (GB) emulated the feat when claiming Saturday's $1,250,000 Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
When the son of Notnowcato won the Group III Sandown Stakes (1500m) in November co-trainer David Hayes said he would set the gelding for the Group I Australian Cup.
He was back on Australian Cup day but it was the Group I sprint he targeted rather than the 2000 metres contest.
A two-time winner in the UK, before being sold to Hong Kong in the hope of winning the Hong Kong Derby, Redkirk Warrior (GB) made Australia's best sprinters look second rate.
With Regan Bayliss in the saddle, Redkirk Warrior (GB) sat on the speed set by Star Turn.
He accelerated quickly with 250 metres left to run and proved two lengths too good for the consistent Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible) with Star Turn (Star Witness) hanging on for third. (photos Grant Courtney).
"We've been telling everyone, Tom and the team at Lindsay (Park), he's the best horse in the stable, David Hayes said.
"He just hadn't had the chance to show everyone yet but he put his hoof forward today.
"Great effort by Jules our farrier.
"This horse had been retired from Hong Kong through feet issues and he fixed it.
"He's had a wind operation and he's a superstar so we're coming to Sydney.
"It was fantastic for Reagan to get his first Group I victory and it was great for the stable.
"We've set him for the Newmarket – Doncaster (double), which was an optimistic target but we've got stage one. A lot of people said he couldn't do it and I wouldn't swap him for many in the Doncaster.
One of 73 stakes winner by the Group I Juddmonte Stakes winner Notnowcato (Inchinor) Redkirk Warrior (GB) is out of the unraced Selkirk mare Flag a half-sister to the Listed stakes winner Armenian Dancer.
