Classic Uniform's stamina came to the fore at Randwick as the dependable gelding scored his first win of this preparation in the Group II Hill Stakes.
Although trainer Gary Moore's race plan for the 1800m test didn't pan out as intended, the five-year-old still managed to better second placings in the Listed Winter Challenge and Listed Premier's Cup.
Moore ran onto the track as Michael Walker returned to scale and the trainer gave the Melbourne-based jockey a happy tap on the thigh after he ignored instructions to good effect.
"He's ridden him upside down," Moore said after Classic Uniform ($7.50) held off a late challenge from Embley ($10) to prevail by half a neck.
"I said to Michael, 'Go hard early, give him a breather at the 1200m and then kick on and see if they can beat you'.
"I changed the tactics around a little because I thought there was no point in riding him like we usually do - jump and pull up and go slow."
However, Walker thought differently once Classic Uniform settled into his work.
"The plans were to go harder than what I did but he got there that easy," Walker said.
"Gary wanted to make it a staying test but I didn't feel the need to go any quicker."
Classic Uniform continued to set the pace and then the kick that had been absent earlier in this campaign materialised when Embley made his move down the straight.
Embley had five previous runs under his belt this campaign, while $2.80 favourite Mackintosh was 2-1/2 lengths further back in third.
- By Chris Barclay (AAP)
