Western Australian trainers Daniel & Ben Pearce have taken out the Listed Carlyon Stakes, with their six-year-old gelding Acromantula leading all the way in the feature race of the day at Moonee Valley.
After being sent over to Victoria earlier this month, the son of Written Tycoon has acquitted himself well with a solid third-place finish in a Benchmark 100 Handicap last start and now a Listed win in the Carlyon.
Although Omni Man ($2.30) was sent out as the favourite with most online bookmakers, Craig Williams rode his horse like it was the best horse in the race and led from start to finish, confirming his thoughts about his gelding’s ability.
Once Acromantula took up the lead and got a little breather mid-race, it was always going to be hard for the backmarkers like Hypothetical ($8.50) and Ashford Street ($23), who finished in second and third, respectively.
2023 Carlyon Stakes Replay – Acromantula
Co-trainer Daniel Pearce spoke post-race about the victory of Acromantula.
“We’re rapt, we’ve had a couple of close calls here in Melbourne, so it’s good to get one over the line,” Pearce said.
“He’s a quick horse and he was able to use his asset today.
“I was pretty happy when they left him alone and he got it his own way out in front and when Willow was able to quicken him up from the 600 (metres), we were pretty happy turning for home.”
With his win on Acromantula, Craig Williams claimed back-to-back wins in the Carlyon Stakes after riding Bella Nipotina last year.
“He has sheer speed, credit to his trainers, they brought him over here and his run was excellent,” Williams said.
“With this race being set weights and penalties, he met the same three horses from last start so much better at the weights.
“He was a machine today.
“The track today played so much different when compared to the other day and if he just held his form, they weren’t going to beat him.
“He’s a really fast horse and I think they’ve got some options with distance ranges, but at the moment he is pretty dominant around the Valley.”
More horse racing news
