Patinack Farm youngster Affable (Husson) showed no fear of the mile as she swept to victory in Saturday’s Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Affable, clear in the Gibson Carmichael, picture Turfpress
Husson (Hussonet) has enjoyed a strong first season in Australia prior to Affable’s success but the filly enhanced the stallion’s fledgling record in this country with her brilliant win.
Distance doubts over most of the eight runners ensured a moderate tempo but Affable produced a big finish down the centre of the track to post a decisive success, her second from four starts.
Patinack Farm’s Melbourne foreman Glen Thompson, brother of the operation’s retained trainer John Thompson, said the removal of blinkers allowed the neat bay to enjoy her racing more with the gear change proving a crucial element to the juvenile’s success.
“John just thought she was a little bit cautious in the blinkers so he just wanted open things up a bit for her so she could have a bit more of a look around and it worked out,” Glen Thompson said.
“I think she's earned it (a spell) after that. If she can go out and come back a big stronger filly, I think she will definitely handle a step up in grade.”
Affable became the fourth Stakes winner worldwide for Husson. The filly defeated Donna Cattiva (Captain Rio) by three lengths while Subiaso (Testa Rossa) finished another long neck away in third. The youngsters completed the 1600-metre trip in 1.38.60, which was 5.1 seconds outside Scenic Peak’s track record.
Affable started at $7 on track but her win reaped a dividend of $7.60 on the Victorian TAB for her backers.
Meanwhile, the Mick Price-trained two-year-old Eximius (Exceed And Excel) finished rapidly to deny the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable another juvenile success in Saturday’s Trevor Clarke Handicap (1000m).
Eximius proved too strong for the Ellerton / Zahra-trained pair Crystal Web (Hard Spun) and Titania Star (Testa Rossa), winning by a length, covering the 1000 metres in 58.79 seconds.
Eximius wins the Trevor Clarke Handicap, picture Turfpress
Eximius started at $12 on track but the Victorian TAB declared a dividend of $13.20 for the gelding’s win.
Victorian operation Rockmount paid $100,000 for Eximius at the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.