The $200,000 Group III MRC Zeditave Stakes (1200m) was the first stakes race on a quality packed card for Caulfield on Saturday with race fit Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Pallaton taking the prize over last year’s Group I Blue Diamond hero Devil Night.
A homebred for Anthony Gow Gates, the Michael Freedman trained Pallaton was stakes-placed twice last spring before finishing his preparation with a win at Flemington in November.
Fourth when resuming from a spell against older rivals in the Group II MRC Rubiton Stakes two weeks ago, he took benefit from the outing and stripped a lot fitter for this assignment.
Pallaton enjoyed a perfect run in transit for Craig Williams and let down with a good finish to win by a length and a half over Devil Night, who ran a great race after impressing in the mounting yard.
The chunky chestnut has grown noticeably since a disappointing spring campaign and has matured into a lovely colt that can hopefully bounce forward out of this race.
Owner and breeder of Pallaton, Anthony Gow Gates was thrilled to see his colt in the winner’s circle and revealed the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap (March 7) at Flemington was on the radar.
“He was beautifully written by Craig today and he goes into the Newmarket (G1) hopefully now,” said Gow-Gates.
“So we haven't seen the best of him, but he's had a few issues in the past. Michael and the boys and his relations down here, Anthony and Sam Freedman, I think they've put things together.”
Pallaton has the overall record of three wins and two placings from 10 starts with prizemoney topping $395,000.
He is the first stakes-winner from six winners out of seven foals to race from juvenile stakes-winner Anevay, a half-sister by Exceed and Excel to Group II winner Krupt and to the dam of stakes-winner Poifect.
Anevay has not had a foal for the past two years and was covered by Home Affairs last spring.
Pallaton is the 77th stakes-winner worldwide for Wootton Bassett, who sadly passed away at Coolmore Australia last year.
He has good numbers for upcoming yearling sales with eight for Inglis Premier and 17 for Inglis Easter.
