Joe Pride's in-form stayer Stockman needed to dig deep in a driving finish to Sunday's $175,000 Listed Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast.
Given the run of the race by Ryan Maloney, the odds-on favourite took the shortest way home on the turn. When Cellarmaid mounted a challenge on the inside, Stockman rallied again.
The son of Tavistock defeated Cellarmaid (Husson) by a half-length with a half-head back to Happy Go Plucky (Pluck) in third.
Coming off a last-start win in the McKell Cup, the Proven Thoroughbreds colour-bearer advances his record to six wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 22 starts with earnings of five wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $413,265.
"He was labouring at the furlong, but when Cellarmaid came up on the inside, he just found enough," Maloney said.
"Joe did say that after today he will be going to the paddock, so he is probably at the end of his preparation.
"He was so dominant and brilliant the other day that it was going to be hard to replicate. I dare say he has a good win in him.
"It's my first ride for Joe, although I have ridden a bit for Jamie (Walter) and Proven Thoroughbreds. I have had a bit of luck for them, so it is good to get that one for them."
Purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds / John Thompson Racing for $170,000 from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2018 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Stockman is one of three stakes-winners for the Zabeel mare Crimson.
A Group II winning half-sister to Group 1 VRC Derby winner Omnicorp, dual Group II winner Pharostan and Listed winner Bourbon Boy, Crimson is the dam of Group II winner, and Group 1 placed Abidewithme (Redoute's Choice), Listed winner and Group 1 VRC Oaks runner-up Miss Scarlatti (Stravinsky) and stakes-placed A Fairy's Kiss (Stravinsky), the dam of Pride's ten-time Listed stakes-winner Destiny's Kiss.
Stockman is the 11th and final foal of Crimson and is one of 31 stakes-winners for Cambridge Stud's ill-fated Tavistock.
