Blue-blooded colt Showtime ended a frustrating run for connections when earnings maiden stakes success in Friday night's Group II Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
The $1.1 million Snitzel colt had placings behind She Will Reign in the Group II Silver Slipper and a Listed placing behind Doubt I'm Dreaming at Moonee Valley.
But he could boast just a lone win in a 1200 metre maiden at Wyong when Beau Mertens took him to the post in the Stutt Stakes at his ninth career start.
Given a positive ride by Mertens, Showtime collared the leader The Mission before turning for home and came clear to defeat Salsamor (Tavistock) by three-quarters of a length with Holy Snow back in third and earn the promising apprentice a first Group victory. ( photo Grant Courtney).
Raced by a powerful group of breeders, Showtime advances his overall record to 2 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $238,730.
"We will go straight to the (Caulfield) Guineas now," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
"He is a lot more mature now, a lot more relaxed and it's great with these colts because there is always a fair deal of pressure when you pay so much for these horses. These are potential stallions that start off at yearling sales and to get the job done on nights like tonight, I'm so excited, to be honest.
Bred and part-owned by Katsumi Yoshida, Showtime is a brother to the 2015 Group I The Galaxy winner, Sweet Idea.
Consigned to the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Showtime was knocked down to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $1.1 million.
Also, a half-brother to the Singapore Stakes winner Rush (Charge Forward), the son of Snitzel is the eighth foal of the stakes-placed Timber Country mare Flidais a daughter of the dual Group I winner Electronic.
Flidais has a 2yo colt by Snitzel and a yearling filly by Snitzel.
She was covered by the reigning champion stallion again last season but missed.
Showtime becomes the 69th stakes winner for Snitzel who looks set for another profitable weekend.
