Supergiant led from barrier to box in a thrilling edition of the Group 3 $115,000 Gunsynd Classic (1800m) at Eagle Farm earning a Rough Habit Plate target and handing trainer Michael Costa with his first Group victory.
The Kiwi-bred son of Red Giant came into the Gunsynd Classic on the back of a narrow second behind Vanna Girl on May 9 in Doomben’s Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes (1615m) and showed nice improvement stretching out to the 1800m.
In a positive display of stamina, Supergiant was quick out the gates to take up an easy lead and just had enough in the tank to lead all-the-way and hold off a thrilling late challenge by the Chris Anderson-trained Ballistic Boy.
Supergiant had a notable margin at the top of the straight before Ballistic Boy closed the gap in the final stages, lunging right on the line forcing a photo finish result.
In third rounding out the Gunsynd Classic trifecta was the beaten Chris Waller-trained favourite Kinane who jumped form the outside barrier with jockey Ryan Maloney in the saddle.
Maloney let the horse settle right back in the field, Kinane still with eight lengths off the leaders on the turn for home before doing his best work inside the final 100m.
As for the winner, Costa confirmed the horse would return to Eagle Farm on June 6 to contest the Group 3 $175,000 Rough Habit Plate (2200m) on Stradbroke Handicap Day looking to be the first to do the double since Belmonte (2006).
“Yeah definitely (heading towards the Rough Habit),” he said.
“It’s our first Group winner as well which his great.
“There’s still improvement in this horse. He’s been a little bit tricky to train.
“He’s not a horse you can do a lot with in track work so the fitness comes through in his races.”
Costa was also quick to give credit to regular trackwork rider Allan Chau who retained the ride on race day for a well-deserved Group success.
“It’s great for Allan, he puts a lot of hard work in the stable…he rode him perfectly today and he’s stuck with him through the whole preparation,” Costa said.
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