After a dominant debut victory at Ballarat on August 8, the Ciaron Maher-trained Federer delivered an even more remarkable performance at Sandown on Wednesday, winning a Benchmark 64 (1600m) by six lengths.
Wearing the colours of Colin McKenna’s Halo Racing—the same colours sported by his three-time Group 1-winning dam, Jameka—the four-year-old gelding was heavily backed from even money into $1.60 with horse racing bookmakers.
He never appeared in danger down the home straight, comfortably defeating Heavenly Eagle.
“Impressive—just the fact he went back, relaxed, travelled very strongly into it, and was kept on the bridle a long way out,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told Racing.com.
“He was very strong through the line, and very collected—it was as good as you could see in this grade stepping up. Obviously, the trip was the big plus, and yeah, it’s what you want to see.
“He’s bred to be a star and he hasn’t done much wrong to date.
“We’ll see what Ben says, and have a chat to Ciaron, but I would naturally think he’ll step up in trip if that’s what we need, and I’d say he’ll tackle stronger events in the future.”
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