Few can doubt the fighting spirit of the Al Maher gelding Classic Uniform after he repelled the challenge of Epsom Handicap hero Happy Classer in Saturday's $500,000 Group III Aqualand Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick.
Coming off a win in the Group II Hill Stakes, the Gary Moore-trained 5yo took his earnings to a whisker under $ 1million with his long-head win over Happy Clapper with the Chris Waller-trained McCreery one and a quarter length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
"What else can he do? He's so brave," Moore said.
"Two thousand metres is probably just his limit so I said to Tim (Clark) don't let him go until we get to the 600m today.
"When he changed legs at the 100m he found a length and that is what has made the difference."
Racing in the best form of his career, Classic Uniform advances his overall record to 7 wins, 8 seconds and 8 thirds from 36 starts with earnings of $941,400.
Bred and sold by Emirates Park (now Aquis Farm) at the 2014 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Classic Uniform was knocked down to
He is the third live foal of the Canny Lad mare Pyrotechnics a sister to Group II Silver Shadow Stakes winner Seika and a half-sister to Sports (Zeditave) whose 15 wins included the Group I VATC Oakleigh Plate and Group I VRC Lightning Stakes.
After missing to Al Maher in 2015, Pyrotechnics foaled a colt by Artie Schiller (USA) on September 3.