With 200 metres left to run in Monday's $150,000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm, five of the six starters were a shot at the winner's cheque but it was the in-form favourite Etymology who dug the deepest.
With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, Etymology defeated Naval Warfare (IRE) (Born To Sea) by a one and a quarter lengths with Fabrizio (High Chaparral) back in third.
The 6yo son of New Approach (IRE) is in the form of his life, making it three in a row following two wins at Flemington, the latest the Listed Bagot Handicap. (photo Grant Courtney )
Runner-up in the 2015 Group 1 Victoria Derby and 2016 Group 1 South Australia Derby, Etymology advances his record to 5 wins, 6 seconds and 7 from thirds from32 starts with earnings of $889,735
The Darley homebred is the third stakes-winner for the imported Danehill mare Weaver Of Words following the Listed stakes-winners Whitlam (Elusive Quality) and Dirty (Hussonet).
All 11 of Weaver Of Words foals made it to the track and nine are winners.
Weaver Of Words was pensioned in 2016. Her final foal is a 3yo Street Boss (USA) filly named Ballad who was second at Wyong at her race debut on November 29 before finishing third at Hawkesbury a fortnight later.
Etymology is one of 42 stakes winner for Epsom Derby winner New Approach (IRE) who shuttled to Darley Stud for four seasons (2009-12).
New Approach's 4-time Group 1 winning son Dawn Approach (IRE) is the sire of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 2yo Dawn Passage who put up one of the runs of the season with an explosive win on debut at Randwick on Saturday.