Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will monitor Stampede with a view to backing him up for his third race in three weeks after his win at Rosehill.
The seven-year-old led all the way to win Saturday’s Group Three Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), a race that spelled the end of the career of 10-year-old Destiny’s Kiss, who beat two runners home.
Stampede is entered in next week’s Group One Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick.
“He got into a nice rhythm and was able to get all the favours in front and Adam (Hyeronimus) rated him beautifully so he was able to pick up when he needed to and show a good turn of foot over the trip so pleasing to see,” Bott said.
“Adam gets on with him so well when he can just get out there and rate him kindly.
“We know he’s got that turn of speed and now that we can see him stay that trip we’ve got a few more options going forward.
“We’ll leave the Metropolitan open without committing to it just yet.
“It would mean going three weeks in a row but when he’s racing like that it’s hard to ignore it.”
Stampede ($4.60) had two lengths to spare on Master Of Arts ($8.50) on the line.
“He’s a pretty relaxed horse. The question was the distance with the weight (59kg),” Hyeronimus said.
“I wanted to lead. He goes better when he leads, he just relaxes so well.
“It’s funny I feel like I’m going slow, I probably was, but he doesn’t touch the bridle at all. Such a pleasant horse to ride.”
For trainer Joe Pride, the race was bittersweet as he announced the end of the career of Destiny’s Kiss after his 102nd start.
“I ran (owner) Nick Moraitis and we agreed to retire him. He’s just not enjoying it any more,” he said.
“He will be missed around the stable.”
