The Champs Elysees (GB) gelding Grand Promenade (GB) is another from the seemingly endless production line of top stayers sourced by John Foote in Europe.
Off the board in just four of his 16 starts, the rising 6yo took another step to the riches in the spring with a three-length romp in the Banjo Paterson Final (2600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
With Jamie Kah in the saddle, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding led at every call to defeat Royal Crown (Helmet) with Smokin' Pierro (Pierro) a further head back in third.
Spotting the placegetters 5kgs, Grand Promenade advanced his record to seven wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $530,100.
Stable representative Lucy Yeomans said Grand Promenade (GB) was a stable favourite.
“Full credit to the team at home. It’s hard work keeping these stayers up and going, Yeomans said
“Especially to his strapper Tristan who just loves this horse, who mollycoddles him every day.
“The pair of us got a little bit emotional, which is ridiculous, but we love this horse; it means a lot and very excited for the spring.
“We tend not to fully spell our stayers, and he may have a week or two in the paddock, maybe then the water walker and a bit of dressage or beach work. He will not have a big long holiday. He loves being in work, so he will have a freshen up, try to keep him happy and plot a path to the spring."
Purchased by Jeremy Brummitt for 38,000gns out of the Trickledown Stud draft at the 2016 December Foal Sale, Grand Promenade (GB) was consigned by Manister House Stud at the 2017 October Yearling Sale Book 2, where John Foote had the final say at 65,000gns.
Racing in the colours of Gerry Ryan's Ryco Equine, Grand Promenade (GB) is a half-brother to the high-class Mastercraftsman mare Santa Monica, a multiple Grade II winner in North America and third in the Grade 1 EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.
Grand Promenade's dam Zacchera (Zamindar) is a half-sister to three stakes-winners headed by the Group 1 Darley July Cup hero Sakhee's Secret, the champion 3yo sprinter in Europe in 2007.
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