The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott team have added the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) to the trophy cabinet in what’s fast becoming a very memorable early spring for the stable.
Raf Attack ($8.00) made every post a winner in the 1800m feature for the three-year-olds, as jockey Regan Bayliss expertly timed his sectionals to hold off all challengers in the shadows of the post.
The son of Satono Aladddin used his early speed to lob in the lead from barrier two but did have some company in the form of Kintyre (+4000), ensuring they went at a genuine clip.
Once he galloped clear of the outsider, there was only one late closer that issued a major challenge, as Tom Kitten (+150) made massive inroads down the centre of the course after a luckless run in transit.
2023 Group 3 Gloaming Stakes Replay – Raf Attack | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Regan Bayliss
Both will now be likely to meet again in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on October 28 as Adrian Bott alluded to in his post-race praise of his promising colt Raf Attack.
“He’s been in a couple of high pressure races that just haven’t suited him,” said Bott.
“So getting out in trip has been the key and he’s been able to sustain a good gallop and they’ve broken a very good record.
“They’ve run along all the way and he can sustain a good speed like that. He’s going to go onto the Spring Champion in great shape.”
Regan Bayliss has had a strong association with this horse being his third time in the saddle and thinks Raf Attack may only improve into the Group 1 feature in two weeks’ time.
“I’ve loved the horse since he won here back on the Kenso track and he’s continuing to improve,” said Bayliss.
“Adrian (Bott), I and Gai (Waterhouse) have said along the whole way that once he gets to 1800m, this race and the Spring Champion, he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with and he proved that today.”
Raf Attack is now a clear second choice at +350 with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes on October 28, while Tom Kitten is the current favourite at +150.
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