KIA TANCRED STAKES (GROUP 1)

RIDDEN positively from a wide gate, the 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin was making a strong case for the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Settling on the hip of the last start Ranvet Stakes winner Gailo Chop, Almandin settled into his rhythm for the 2,400-metre test as the 2016 Victoria Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit took up the running.

With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle the dose was measured as Almandin swung into the final bend to challenge for the lead before surging clear to win by just over a length from the Deep Impact horse Ambitious, with omnipresent stayer Who Shot Thebarman third.

FORWARD

“He sprang the lids (barriers) and travelled a bit more forward than I thought we might, but he travelled really well and was strong at the end of the 2,400 metres,” said McEvoy. “I knew I had Gailo Chop coming to the turn, I just had to wait. I just didn’t want to go too early.” The win provided a second Group 1 for the Monsun gelding, though drew a $1,000 fine for trainer Liam Howley who was charged for failing to notify stewards of a change in tactics for Almandin who had always been ridden conservatively from the barriers in the past.

Managing part-owner Nick Williams has indicated that Alamandin will now tackle the Sydney Cup over 3,200 metres on April 14th. “The plan was to go from the Australian Cup into this race then into the Sydney Cup. Unless Kerrin got off and said we should be running him against Winx, which I’m sure he won’t be doing.”