Progressive galloper War Critic recorded his third victory when winning over 1800m at Caulfield on Saturday.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old was pushed forward from his outside barrier by jockey Damian Lane, who was able to slot his charge just in behind the pace.
Pacemaker Legenda opened up several lengths on the field, but Lane kept his cool, and waited until turning for home before presenting his charge three-wide.
The gelding copped a check at the top of the straight, but he was able to continue his run and captured the lead with 150m to go and held on to win by 0.2 lengths.
Trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra were pleased with the victory and made a special mention of Lane’s ride.
“No doubt the ride won the race,” Ellerton said. “He gave him a peach (of a ride). He looked to be in trouble at the first furlong and then he slotted in well and he got the run of the race.
“Thankfully the horse was good enough to get the job done after the good ride.”
Ellerton said this is the first uninterrupted preparation for War Critic and he is now starting to show his potential, with two wins and a placing from four starts this time in.
“We have never had a good crack at them. He has always had a niggle here and there,” Ellerton said.
“He got very sick when we gelded him.
“It’s good to have a nice, faultless prep with him. He is a progressive sort of horse and it is good to see him get the job done.”
Ellerton believes his charge is still another preparation away from showing his best.
“He was 67 rated before today. He is probably a prep away, so we will chip around the edges with him and hopefully he can be a solid handicapper in preps to come,” he said.
War Critic was purchased by his trainers for $300,000 out of Valachi Downs’ 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft.
