While it was back to the drawing board for a few of his rivals, the Lean Mean Machine debutant Title Fighter looked the consummate professional in Saturday's Ladbroke It! Hcp (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by Craig Williams for Clayton Douglas, Title Fighter strode to the lead from an outside barrier and was not for catching.
The talented Better Than Ready colt Epic Proportions closed to half a length, with the Pierro colt Prinzerro back in third.
A $24,000 Inglis Great Southern weanling, Title Fighter was a $20,000 purchase for his breeder Ponderosa Park / Intel Bloodstock when consigned by Reid Racing to the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
"He is a fast horse. He had a couple of starts without blinkers on, so I left them off today," Douglas said.
"He knew his job, although he was a little steady into his stride like in his jumpouts, but he can get going after a furlong.
"There were a few inexperienced horses off the bridle at the top of the straight. If you are on the fence and leading, it's hard at the Valley, but it all worked out.
"He had a bit of a gawk around. It looked like he was floating until that horse got to the back of him, and he finished it off nicely."
Title Fighter is the first winner for the very capable Artie Schiller mare If Not Now When, who died after leaving two foals.
If Not Now When won the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo on debut and the $100,000 VOBIS Gold Plate at Cranbourne at her second start for Henry Dwyer. She made a further 23 starts without winning.
If Not Now When is a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Bid Chill (Artie Schiller).
Title Fighter is the third winner for Aquis Farm's Lean Mean Machine.
The dual Group II winning son of Zoustar stands at $13,200 in 2023.
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